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North Carolina State Library
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SOUVENIR
OF
Excursion to Battlefields
BY THE
Society of the Fourteenth Connecticut Regiment
AND
Reunion at Antietam
September 1891 ;
WITH
HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES OF BATTLES AND CAMPAIGNS
OF THE
REGIMENT ON THE FIELDS REVISITED.
Chaplain H^ S. STEVENS
OF THE Regiment.
WASHINGTON :
Gibson Bros., Printers and Bookbinders.
.S93.
972,7-44^
lJi3'<RODVQ3'lO<M.
Only the insistence of comrades whose requests for service I can never
decline to comply with could have induced me to undertake the preparation
of this volume. It is designed, as believed to be desirable, not only as a
souvenir of the trip itself, but to give our guest excursionists explanations and
descriptions it was impossible to give them during the trip and to give the
comrades historical and reminiscent data and views of places made memorable
to them long ago. Should such data not be given now they may never be
given.
While the narrative and reminiscent style of writing necessary causes a
different treatment of the matter from the purely historical style I have
endeavored to verify things stated from either personal knowledge, state-
ments of reliable persons or official reports.
In such a work it is neither feasible nor proper that full casualty lists at
battles be given nor full mention made of individuals deserving mention.
About securing views oT some points desired, especially of our old camp
at Falmouth, I have been disappointed, and some views taken necessarily
when nature would " weep" have not the clearness wished for ; evoking the
confession often necessary heretofore, that with my most thoughtful and
strenuous endeavor I cannot achieve all I long to in my work for the regi-
ment.
With unabated affection for the old comrades of the Fourteenth and their
friends I submit my work. If it shall please and profit them at all I shall
feel recompensed for the care and effort it has caused me.
H. S. vStevens.
59714
Officers of the
Society of the Fourteenth Connecticut Regiment
1890 '91.
President,
Vice-Presidents,
Secretary,
Treasurer,
Chaplain,
JOHN C BROATCH.
(WILLIAM H. TUBES,
(CHARLES SMITH.
JULIUS W. KNOWLTON.
GEORGE N. BRIGHAM.
HENRY S. STEVENS.
Members of the Excursion Committee.
J. C. BROATCH,
G. N. BRIGHAM,
S. A. MOORE,
J. W. KNOWLTON,
H. S. STEVENS.
BENJAMIN HIRST,
W. H. TUBBS,
Officers of the Society for 1891 -'9 3.
President, ------- A. PARK HAMMOND.
(IMRI A. SPENCER,
Vice-Presidents,
(RUSSELL GLENN.
Secretary, JULIUS W. KNOWLTON.
Treasurer, - GEORGE N. BRIGHAM.
Chaplain, -.-.-- HENRY S. STEVENS.
The two Round Tops, Gettysburg — from the west.
The Kxcijrsion.
WE'RE OFF ! three hundred of us, as hopeful, happy, jolly a crowd
as one can often see. This fourteenth day of September 1S91
marks the consummation of the long-cherished desire of the sur-
vivors of the Fourteenth Connecticut Regiment to revisit in a body the
scenes of their war experiences and hold a reunion on the battlefield of An-
tietam, the field where the regiment received its first baptism of fire in the
war to save the Union.
Immediately after the battle alluded to there was talk of such a reunion as
to be held the next year ; but the next year found the regiment just getting
well into the war and the next found it still tugging in the harness of war.
When the great conflict ended the men all had need to push life's battle of
business and support, and they had grown weary of the sight of battlefields
and weary of allusions to army life; so it was not until the meetings of a
well organized reunion society, held on the anniversary of the Antietam
battle, had known a score or more of delightful repetitions that much was
said about the long trip and the reunion on the field. Then hearts began to
burn and talk to flow. Foremost to suggest and to urge the matter was
that comrade supereminently devoted to the interests and honor of the dear
old regiment, John C. Broatch. Before the meeting of the society at Guil-
ford in 1S89 the president corresponded with railroad managers as to terms
and routes. At said meeting comrade Broatch pressed the matter of at once
arranging for an excursion, and a committee — comrades Broatch, Knowlton,
Brigham, Hirst and Moore — was appointed to consider the matter, with
power to act. However, the year was unfavorable and the excursion was not
5 The Start.
made. At the meeting in 1890 the subject was discussed with renewed
fervor, the secretary submitting terms of raih'oad companies and routes
suggested. It was seen to be necessary to act soon if we would make the
trip during the lifetime of most of the comrades, and a proposition to make
it the next year was unanimously and enthusiastically endorsed by the men
at the meeting. Also comrades Tubbs and Stevens were added to the com-
mittee. Soon negotiations were entered into with railroad managers for
transportation, and circulars were issued detailing plans and calling for en-
listments. Chairman Broatch devoted himself ardently to the work of
booking excursionists and the other active member of the committee to ar-
ranging for the transportation and entertainment of the party.
At first it was thought that if one hundred and twenty-five persons should
decide to go the excursion would be a gratifying success, but so popular did
it prove that finally more than four hundred were booked.
Many explanatory circulars were issued, numberless letters written, and
at last a complete itinerary of the trip was sent to each person on the list ;
and so thoroughly was the work of preparation done that on the morning of
the day appointed for starting all who could go were on hand in time at Jer-
sey City Ferry ready to take the special train of six well appointed cars of
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company engaged to take the party out.
The weather that for weeks had been capricious in its temper
changed its mood and gave for the start one of the most delicious of autumn
days. Of those booked to go many were, at the last moment, unable to
leave home or business. Some had dropped out of the list by death. Major
J. C. Kinney of Hartford, the first person to forward his nanie, with that of
his wife, for entry, had suddenly been cut down in his strength ; and our
comrade Priest, whose heart was set upon accompanying his comrades, had
as suddenly fallen. Several had,. however, applied at the last hour, making
of actual excvn-sionists, including those who joined the party at Philadelphia
and beyond, not fewer than three hundred and eleven.
And what a company is this occupying these cozy cars as the train pulls
out of the station at 1.30 P. M. to move over a portion of the same road the
regiment was borne over twenty-nine full years ago ! And who can describe
the emotions of the veterans as they contrast that day, now so long agone,.
with this day.? Youths they were, most of them, then, leaving home and
parents or wives and wee ones for the conjectural hardships and perils of
war. Now, men ripe in years, wearing the scars and honors of war and the
later honors their confiding fellow citizens have put upon them, they, with
their wives, who were then but sweethearts or strangers, their grown sons
and daughters and their good neighbors, start on a trip that shall review the
scenes of the well-remembered actual hardships and perils of war encoun-
tered. Splendid fellows these men were in the bloody field service, and
splendid fellows they've proved since in civil life, occupying important
places of public trust and in business and social circles ; and if only there
could be with them this day to share their happiness those other splendid
fellows that journeyed with them twenty-nine years ago who later fell on the
On the Wing.
7
On Picket" — Some of our boys in 1863.
field by deadly missile or succumbed to disease equally fatal or wasted away
in horrid prison-pens or have since the muster-out been enrolled on high,
and those disappointed ones
who must, perforce, stay at
home, their cup would be
full. With them, however,
are the children of some of
our war-slain heroes whose
ardor is scarcely less than
their own. With them, also,
are worthy associates of their
own class, comrades Miles,
Simmons, Palmer, Higby,
Ray, the Davises, Barnes,
Hubbard, O'Leary, the
Smiths, Gould, Jordan, Con-
don, Southmayd, Walker,
Newton and others of other
regiments ; also congress-
men, state legislators, clergy-
men, enterprising business
men and farmers, and hosts
of men and women of finest mold. Was there ever another such party of
good, intelligent men and gracious women and bright wholesome youths
and maidens as this one now starting with the veteran "■ boys " of the old
Fourteenth on this notable campaign? Scarcely one shows less interest in
the primal object of the trip than the veterans themselves. With such a
cheerful crowd on such a cheerful day on such a cheerful mission only good
cheer could reign. Chatting and chaffing abounded. Old army stories were
told and old experiences related. Some of the party found sufficient occu-
pation in observing and discussing the charming scenery along the line of
the road, for to most of them this country was entirely new and they had
here their first sight of the Alleghanies. Little books of camp songs had
been prepared and distributed and soon the strains of " Rally Round the
Flag Boys," "Tenting to-night," "Marching through Georgia," "John
Brown," etc., told oft' the fervor of the jubilant crowd and rose above the
din of the swiftly moving train. Soon after leaving Jersey City our grand
marshal. Chairman Broatch, and our ever genial Secretary Knowlton passed
through the train labelling each member of the party for a " Fourteenth
man " forever, pinning upon each one the excursion badge. This was the
regulation reunion badge of the Society, a plain white badge of heavy satin,
having a suitable inscription and the stamp of the Fourteenth — our numeral
and initial designation within the old Second Army Corps emblem, the
trefoil.
Approaching Philadelphia a brief stop was made to take on recruits, and
then the train sped on towards Harrisburg. Large excursion trains over
3 Gettysburg !
long routes are proverbially behind time and it became apparent that this
one was not to go back upon the proverb and that the 7-30 o'clock arrival at
Gettysburg assured by the railroad parties was not to materialize. However,
there was no discouraging such a good natured company, and there were no
terrors to them in the thought of a late arrival ; for did they not know that
some one was at Gettysburg in advance making full arrangements for their
prompt entertainment whenever they should reach there ? Many had lunches
at hand, and refreshments were brought upon the train, so that none suffered
from hunger. As the darkness came on and the train rushed along in a
" weird and ghostly way " song and story and chat still abounded. Though
a few, with slight weariness, napped enthusiasm increased with most with
nearness to their destined goal, the magic word "Gettysburg" thrill-
ing their souls through at every suggestion or thought of it. At last,
soon after lo o'clock, the lights of the old historic town shot out of the gloom
and presently the station was reached. Large as was the crowd and mainly
strangers in the place, it required but a few minutes to clear station and
streets of all. "Fall in for the McClellan " ! "Fall in for the Eagle"!
" Fall in for Freeman's " ! etc., rang out, and soon one hundred and fifty
were in line moving towards the first, seventy or eighty towards the second,
thirty or forty towards the third, and smaller parties towards other places,
following guides ; and as soon as they could register and receive the keys of
their rooms, already assigned them, and prepare a bit their toilets they has-
tened to tables laden with tempting food all ready for them. With banquet-
ing and chat and pleasant companionship, the one blessed feature of the
whole affair, all weariness vanished. Before midnight nearly all had retired
to woo " nature's sweet restorer," for tomorrow was to be a red-letter day to
them. Now while they rest and the night is on let us talk of what causes
their coming —
THE FOURTEENTH AND THE BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.
After the battle of Chancellorsville the Fourteenth returned to the old
camp near Falmouth, Va., May 6, 1863. Lee, inspired by the results at
Chancellorsville and feeling it to be necessary to do something with his
army to secure the favor of foreign nations in older to obtain recognition for
the " Confederacy" if possible, as well as to keep up the courage and
enthusiasm of the southern people, determined upon an aggressive cam-
paign and to take his troops into^some northern state.
In May he began the movement of a portion of his army westward from
Fredericksburg and then northward towards the Potomac, crossing, soon,
one corps into Maryland and moving it steadilv towards Harrisburg. As
soon as his movement was apparent to the Union commanders some of our
forces were moved westward to watch the enemy and be prepared to protect
Washington and to give battle whenever necessary or practicable. The
troops of the vSecond Army Corps, to which the Fourteenth belonged, were
among the last to leave the southern camps, where for several days we had
On the Way in '63. o
been under arms before daylight each morning as well as under orders to
be ready to march at short notice. That notice caine on Sunday, June 14,
and at 9 o'clock that evening the Fourteenth broke camp and started north-
"ward. On the 26th the Potomac was crossed, and on Wednesday, July i,
when marching through Taneytown, Md., about noon, we were admonished
by the sound of guns twelve miles away that a conflict was waging and that
probably there would soon be work for all of us. The corps was hurried
forward, the sounds and evidences of battle increasing steadily. At night-
fall the Fourteenth had reached a point on the Taneytown road near Little
Rear of Second Corps position, Gettysburg, Taneytown Road and iVIeade's Headquarters, seen from National
Cemetery. — Round Tops in distance.
Round Top, only two or three miles from Gettysburg, where it was
detached from the brigade and sent on picket, not far from the Baltimore
pike. The night was clear and bright and to us undistubed. In all that
lovely night there was nothing to indicate the proximity of an armed hostile
band or a bloody battle-ground strewn with stark corpses and men anguished
with wounds. Nor was there a chance to obtain a true version of the battle
just over.
It seems that Lee, finding the Union army following so close upon his
course and endangering his communications and likely to at any time bring
him to an engagement, recalled his troops that had advanced to York and
Harrisburg and ordered them, with those towards Chambersburg, to con-
centrate near Gettysburg.
On the 30th of June General Buford's cavalry was at Gettysburg, and that
night his pickets held a line along a little stream two or three miles west and
north of the town.
About 9 o'clock of the next day Hill's advancing infantry attacked this
line. The First Corps, General Reynolds, had early that morning started
from Emmettsburg, ten miles south, and, hastened by the sounds of battle
and the urgent calls of Buford for'immediate assistance, Robinson's division
lO
July i, 1S63.
left the main road at the Codori house and crossing the fields and hastening
forward was soon confronting the enemy — not a moment too soon. This
promptness and the ready acceptance of the gage of battle saved the morn-
ing and, presumably, Gettysburg. The rest of the First Corps came up,
and soon the ground west and noi'th of the Seminary was one great battle-
field. The Eleventh Corps coming up also the line of battle was extended
northward to the Harrisburg road. Well, our Union boys did grand battle-
work that day, fighting on northern soil, the two small corps being obliged
to contend against the rapidly increasing force of the rebels coming in upon
all the roads north and west, until finally, fully flanked and overwhelmed
by numbers, they were obliged to fall back to and through the town, the
victorious hosts following closely, and, coming in upon flank and rear,
capturing many prisoners in the streets and narrow by-ways of the town.
Fortunately, General Howard had early observed the commanding position
of Cemetery Hill south of the town and had sent a brigade to take possession
and hold it, and at this barrier the progress of the enemy was stayed. When
the Eleventh Corps fell back to Cemetery Hill Wadsworth's division of the
First Corps took position on Gulp's Hill at its right and the Twelfth Corps,
General Slocum, fortified on right of VVadsworth on the other face of Gulp's
Hill, extending the line-beyond Spangler's Spring to Rock Creek ; while
Robinson's division of the First Corps extended the line on the left of the
Eleventh Corps to Ziegler's grove. This was the situation on our front on
the night of the first of July. The fighting of our troops that day had been
of the highest order. Rarely if ever has it been excelled. Not until nearly
all the rebel army was upon them did they yield and fall back. Their pluck
that day and the securing of Cemetery Hill in advance made possible our
great victory at Gettysburg.
Early on the morning of July 3, the Fourteenth was relieved from picket
Meade's Headquarters, Taneytown Road, 1863.
July 2, 1S63. Sharp-Si-iooting.
II
Meade's Headquarters Barn, and rear of House. — 1863.
and ordered to rejoin the brigade. At first the regiment was taken to a
field opposite Meade's headquarters on the Taneytown road. About
8 o'clock it was moved across the road, and passing over the wall at the
low place below the cottage, seen in cut 14, it advanced up the field and
filing right past the barn to the field beyond the barn lane was placed in rear
of the brigade on the slope
at rear of the Brian premises.
The house on said premises,
located on the battle-line,
was occupied as headquar-
ters by our division com-
mander, General Alexander
Hays. Some portions of
the brigade that had come
upon the ground earlier had
gone to the front as skirmish-
ers. At times the First Del-
aware and Twelfth New
Jersey skirmishers advanced
several rods beyond the Bliss
buildings, one-half mile from the ridge, then fell back to these buildings
when pressed. Finally, the line of Union skirmishers was established
between these buildings and the Emmettsburg road, the latter passing
obliquely along our front some rods* in advance of the main Union posi-
tion. Going upon the ridge we watched with no little curiosity the battle of
the skirmishers in front and the woi^k of the sharp-shooters on our crest.
The scene on the broad glacis between the hostile lines on that fine summer
morning was charming and the work of the sharp-shooters as we watched
it grew almost fascinating, we forgetting, nearly, that the game was human.
One marksman had made his quarry a wounded skirmisher (one half mile
away) unable to stand, who was trying, by a series of flops, to drag his body
up the slope to the shelter of his own lines. The marksman fired at him for
several minutes as frequently as he could load and take aim ; but we con-
fess to a feeling of relief and gladness, and we've felt it ever since when
recalling the scene, when the man let up on the poor fellow and had failed
to hit him. Truly, war makes game of men, and we all may easily grow
reckless in our treatment of human life. And we've always wondered why
the comrades of the poor fellow mentioned did not come down to help him
oft'. We doubt that such a scene could have been enacted so close to our
lines. Indeed, at that very time our ambulances were, in spite of the great
risk, veifturing out far in our front to pick up our wounded skirmishers.
About noon the regiment was moved farther up the slope to Ziegler's grove,
then extending clear to the Bryan premises, to support Woodruff's regular
battery. About this time occurred, through accident, the first casualty in the
regiment ; one that put entirely out of the fight one of our oldest officers and
came marvelously near ending his days. The horse of a staff' officer on the
12
An Accident.
Little Round Top and Round Top at time of Battle.
ridge becoming restive and troublesome under the occasional shelling, the
officer gave him to a drummer boy to take back to the hollow. The boy
mounted, but before
1^ • ' he could fully grasp
the lines the horse
started, and the
thumping of the drum
the boy carried upon
his arm increasing his
panic he dashed w^ith
headlong speed down
the hill. As the boy
had control of but one
rein his vigorous pull-
ing upon that caused
the horse to take a
circuitous course, and
he made for our regi-
ment. Men rose right
and left with all pos-
sible celerity to get
out of his way. All
succeeded except
Captain Coit of Co.
K, who was just rising and in the act of drawing his sabre when the
horse was upon him, striking him full in the face with his breast and
hurling him to the ground. The steed was soon captured and taken
away, but the mischief he had done did not depart with him. The
blow he had given our gallant captain was a serious one, bruising his face
and totally closing his eyes for a time. The wonder is that it did not prove
fatal, or cause prolonged disability and permanent disfigurement ; but in a few
days the Captain's handsome face came back to its normal condition, and he
was spared for participation in later campaigns and engagements. About
this time, also, Adjutant Doten's horse, that nervous, fidgety animal that used
to worry Major Clark so, broke away from the boy holding him and dashed
down the hill. He was stopped near Meade's headquarters, but when the
adjutant went for him Colonel Dahlgren was away with him and had left
the adjutant's equipments on his own horse ; so the adjutant rode the latter
away. He was not grieved at the exchange, as this animal behaved much
better on the field than the other. That is how " Old Dahlgren," afterwards
ridden by Major Hi neks, got into the Fourteenth.
The regiment was still lying in support of Woodruff^s battery, (I, istU. S.
Arty.) when the attack was made upon the left of the Union line, bringing
on the sanguinary conflict of the second day of July. General Sickles had
moved out the Third Corps to the line of the Emmettsburg road for a better
position, as he judged. Heavy cannonading accompanied the attack, but
Sickles' Fight.
13
although the Fourteenth was in the track of the shells the configuration of the
ground was such that these passed harmlessly overhead. This conflict on
the left was one of the fiercest and bloodiest of the war. Longstreet had
taken his corps far up to their right, and when Sickles' ti^oops had reached
position on the Emmettsburg road ridge he hotly assaulted them at the angle
beyond the " Peach Orchard." As soon as one brigade became vigorously
engaged another was sent in, and then another, until the weight of the col-
umn and the fierceness of the attacks broke Sickles' line at its weak pointy
the salient, causing it to gradually fall back, after some of the stubbornest
fighting ever known. The Fifth Corps was thrown in to help, and the First
Division of our corps, in which was the Twenty-seventh Conn, regiment, was
sent as reinforcement, losing heavily on the famous " Wheatfield," in front
of Little Round Top. Later, the Third Brigade of our division was sent to
help Humphreys and sustained a heavy loss. A portion of Hill's corps was
put in to aid Longstreet ; but night was approaching, the attacking body had
lost its momentum and was badly broken up, and our Sixth Corps coming
up the action was stayed, our lines on the ridge remaining intact. The time
of the commencement of the attack on the second has been variously stated,
some lecturers averring that it was as early as 3 o'clock, though official i-e-
ports ofLongstreet's
corps demonstrate the
incorrectness of this.
The writer chanced to
be going to the regiment
from the hospital barn
on the Taney town road,
where he had been with
Captain Coit after his
hurt, and he took in the
ridge on his way. He
reached the now famous
copse of trees, the so
denominated "High
Water Mark of the Re-
bellion," after 2 o'clock
and stopped among the
guns of Brown's R. I.
battery located there.
Scanning the field at the
left he observed troops
moving out and forming
line for some advance, he presumed a i^econnoissance in force, and he watched
with intense interest the beautiful display as brigade after brigade and division
after division moved out and deployed. Officers and their aids in gay dress and
trappings dashing here and there and the ranks of men, with bright banners-
flying and lines of bayonets gleaming, moving with the precision of dress-
Copse of Trees and Round Tops as at time of Battle.
14
Final Position.
parade made a display entrancing. Far at the left batteries, like v'ast swarms
of moving blackness, were coming out from cover and moving towards po-
sitions. When lines were fully formed, the whole corps, known since to
have been the Third, moved forward towards the Emmettsburg I'oad. Then
the writer penciled in his pocket diary these words : •■' Corps at left mov^ed
out in line of battle about 4 P. M." When the right of the line was hidden
in the orchards and shrubbery and the skirmish fire was getting brisk two
puffs of smoke suddenly arose beyond our lines at the left. Then the roar
of batteries followed, and the commander of Brown's battery sternly called,
" Cannoniers, to your posts ! " as a cloud of hurtling shells came tumbling
in among his guns. The writer at once started for his regiment, running
the gauntlet of a fearful shell fire that, with the shrieking and snapping,
frightened and bewildered the birds in the air and made them dash wildly in
every direction, screaming shrill}^ — and he penciled right afterward in his
Position of left of 14tln C. V. at wall beyond Monument. — Arnold's Battery was at left of road near
foreground. "Copse of Trees" and Round Tops visible.
diary : " Cannonading commenced by the rebels about 4^ P. M." That
record is conclusive to at least one person. The official report of Col. E. P.
Alexander, chief of the rebel artillery, states that he " placed his batteries in
fositioti about 4 P. M."
Towards evening the Fourteenth was moved to the left about one eighth
mile to a stone wall that became its position for the rest of the battle, the
Going to Dixie. j r
wall at which our principal monument stands. It was the extreme left regi-
ment of the division and connected with the right of the 71st Penn. regiment
of Webb's brigade of the Second Division of our corps.
At our immediate right was the ist Del. regiment and at right of that the
1 3th N. J., and beyond that the loSth N. Y., all of our brigade. In rear of a
portion of our brigade was the new (Third) brigade, General Hays' old bri-
gade. At night-fa)l four men of Co. A, Cooley, Jacobs, French and Geatly,
being ordered to go forward to our line of pickets, continued advancing un-
til near the Bliss barn, finding no line, when suddenly there sprang up from
the ground several Johnnies and kindly took them in, relieving them of their
guns and conducting them to their commanding oflicer. They were cared
for in the well known way of war and booked for a trip — ''by hand" — to
Dixie. Jacobs, who was something of a wag and a mighty story teller, took
pains to enlighten his custodians with amplified accounts of the immense hosts
of Pennsylvania militia that were coming in as reinforcements to us. This
may account in part for the dismay of some of the rebs. in the attack of the
next day when they saw the " Old Blue Club " of our division and found the
trained men of our corps ready to meet them and exclaimed : " The Army
of the Potomac is here ! "
That evening occurred, not far at our right, the firing and the partiallv
successful attack on East Cemetery Hill by the "Louisiana Tigers " and
others, when the First Brigade of our division. Colonel Carroll, was sent
from us to assist the Eleventh Corps, coming not back to us during the bat-
tle time, though sorely we needed the men on the third. Also, later came
the prolonged and desperate struggle of the •• Stonewall brigade" and others
of Johnson's division to capture Greene's position on Gulp's Hill ; followed
however by their taking possession, with practically no opposition, of the
breastworks at the right of Greene that had been denuded of troops to send to
Sickles' assistance. These troops, with four brigades added during the night,
occupied all the great space from Greene's position to below Spangler's
Spring and pushed their front to the edge of the woods near the Baltimore
pike. It required the work of several batteries and the hard fighting of sev-
eral brigades from 4 to 11 A. M. the next day to drive these intruders out
and regain possession of the captured works. The firing of all these engage-
ments seemed very close to the Fourteenth, some of it almost directly in our
rear. The early morning firing of the third disturbed somewhat our slum-
bers on the ridge, but not enough to rouse us thoroughly, for the soldier learns
to not trouble himself about what may happen while the picket line remains
intact. Rest he needs, and he learns to secure it amid surroundings that
might play havoc with a civilian's nerves. When the doughty Captain Ar-
nold, commanding the battery the Fourteenth was supporting, had a brief
tilt with a rebel battery, resulting in the blowing up of a caisson on each
side and eliciting wild cheers along both lines, we were made thoroughly awake.
Then Companies A and F were relieved from picket duty by Companies B
^nd D. The work of these men on the picket line and the relief of the de-
tails was quite interesting and exciting to the observers in the rear and looked
j5 Picketing. — The Bliss Buildings.
like a very pretty game — but to the participants it was not pretty. Our
picket reserve station was in the Emmettsburg road in front of the regiment.
The road was sunken there nearly two feet, affording some protection at the
fence. The picket line was at a fence about two hundred yards in advance of
the reserve, and the line of rebel pickets about the same distance further on,
some of it by .the trees at the Bliss orchard. Our men lay flat upon the ground
by the fence, hidden and somewhat protected by the posts and lowest rails.
Nothing was visible, usually, to fire at, yet when any movement was appar-
ent a shot or two would follow from vigilant watchers ; then the rising rifle-
smoke would attract retaliating shots. When the reliefs went to their
places there was excitement. The relieving squad would leave the reserve
rendezvous moving in any way possible to avoid the observation of the
enemy, but v\^hen a place was reached where exposure was unavoidable each
w^ould take to running at highest speed, and upon reaching the fence would
throw himself at once upon the ground. Then must the relieved ones get
back to the reserve in a similar manner ; and " relieving" seemed a misnomer.
The start of the pickets on either side, to or from their places, was a signal
for a lively popping all along the line of iheir opponents as long as a man
was in sight. yNot many of the runners were struck, for to hit such a rapidly
moving object is a difficult feat ; but the pop ! pop ! crack ! crack ! would
go on all the same ; and the eagerness to hit would make some shooters-
careless, so furnishing themselves targets for some hidden watchers. Sev-
eral men were wounded on the line, and Corporal Huxham of Compan}' B
was killed. When his squad was relieved he did not stir, and when Ser-
geants Stroud and Hirst went to him and touched him they found him dead,»
shot through the head. He was in position, his rifle resting on the fence,
his finger on the trigger and his eye apparently glancing along the barrel in
aiming. Shot at his post, his face toward the foe and his weapon directed
against his enemy — the worthiest eulogy that can be expressed of the soldier. /
In front of our skirmish line, a little to the right, eight hundred yards or
more from our position at the wall, were two buildings, owned by William
Bliss, a farmer. One was a large barn, almost a citadel in itself. It was
an expensively and elaborately built structure, as barns go, seventj'-five feet
long and thirty-three feet wide, its lower story, or basement, ten feet high,
constructed of stone, and its upper part, sixteen feet to the eaves, of bricks,
the wall being carried to the gables. Within was an oak frame sufiicientl}'
heavy for a barn without walls. There was an overhang ten feet wide along
the entire front for shelter of cattle, and the rear was banked to the first
floor — whence the name " bank barn" — furnishing a drive-way for loads to
that floor. There were five doors in the front wall of the basement and
three windows in each end ; several long, narrow, vertical slits in ^Jie upper
story front and two rows of windows in each end. It was a paradise for
sharp-shooters with long range rifles. Ninety paces north of it was the
mansion, a frame building, two stories in height. As it had a front of three
rooms width and two front doors, and there now remain two cellar excava-
tions, with a thick earth wall between, over which it stood, indicating a
North Carolina State Library
Raleigh
The I2TH N. J. Captures.
17
length of about fifty feet, we see the building must have been long and
capacious. On the second of July, when our picket line was established
between the Emmettsburg road and these buildings, the rebels settled a force
of sharp-shooters in the latter, and the barn proved a veritable tower ot
%a^
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14th 0. V. Marker, Centre Bliss Barn site, Gettysburg. — Barn " Bank" In rear.
sti"ength to them but a terror to our batterymen on the ridge, as well as to
our pickets on the line, for it allowed a drop-shot upon the latter. Captain
Arnold complained that his men were suffering great annoyance and harm
from the men in the barn and General Hays ordered its capture. Four
companies of the 12th N. J. regiment were detailed for the duty. They
charged in gallant style and captured it, with a good number of prisoners,
losing several of their own men. With a strange kind of wisdom — from
whom emanating we do not know — they soon retii"ed, with their prisoners,
to the main line, leaving the barn nicely inviting the Johnnies to come
right in again ; and soon they were sending their pretty leaden compli-
ments as before. At 7.30 A. M. of the third five other companies of the I3th
N. J. again captured the barn, taking two prisoners — and at once repeated
the retiring act. This sagacious policy of seizing and at once abandoning
had its effect, for the returning occupants soon sent the little stingers flying
around as before. At last the thing became intolerable. Captain Arnold
told the writer that it was such an injury to his men that he asked Colonel
Smyth, the brigade commander, if that barn could not be burned. "The
enemy would get behind the barn and do us more damage," was the reply.
" The walls would be so hot men could not live in them," said the captain.
" That is so," replied the colonel. Then an order was issued that the build-
jg Thrilling Sorties.
ing be captured " to stay," and the Fourteenth, now reduced to about one
hundred and twenty men exclusive of those on picket, was ordered to do it.
Four companies of the left wing, to be commanded by Capt. S. A. Aloore
of Co. F, were first detailed for the purpose. Why a force only about one
half as large as either of the parties previously sent for the same purpose
was sent this time is one of the inscrutable things of the varying wisdom of
war. Possibly it was thought that one Fourteenth man was equal to any
other two. That it was a serious undertaking all could see, and no man
coveted the job — but no choice is allowed the soldier. The detail was taken
up towards the division headquarters and then down a lane one hundred and
fifty yai'ds to the Emmettsburg road, then across the road, and then into the
field beyond, covered for about one hundred and fifty paces by a knoll.
When the men came into view of. the enemy, now well read in the business
and prepared for them, there was a general firing at them from all along the
skirmish line and from the host of sharp-shooters in the buildings. Then
the desperate character of the sortie was fully revealed, but no man could
recoil though death seemed inevitable. As to advance in any kind of a
formation would but furnish a better target to aim at, the order was to "go
as you please," or scatter and run. Every man was put to his mettle and
ran with all his might for the barn. Nearly six hundred yards were to be
covered and it was soon accomplished at such speed, but several dropped
on the way.
Such was the vim with which the rush was made that the rebs. did not
wait to greet their visitors, but " skeedaddled," as we used to say, out of the
doors and other openings to take refuge in the orchard and house ; the latter,
which had not figured much in former attacks, now becoming quite formi-
dable as a place of offense and defense. The little band, quite outnumbered,
and beleagured in the barn, could not leave the latter to attack the house be-
cause of the marksmen in the orchard and on the picket line, so the remaining
four companies on the ridge were ordered to reinforce them and capture the
house. Major Ellis commanded this detail, taking with him all except the
color-guard. This detail was obliged to move more to the right after passing
over the knoll and becoming exposed, and was subjected to a hot fire from the
house and skirmish line, and for the last three hundred yards or more to a
still hotter one on the right flank that the other had not encountered so fully.
A lane, called " Long Lane," narrow and deep, runs out from Gettysburg-
about one mile to within about three hundred yards of the Bliss house and
then turns at right angle up toward the position of the enemy. In this lane
had been placed the brigades of Thomas and McGowan to support Rodes in
an anticipated attack on Cemetery Hill on the evening of the second, and
some say to support the left of Longstreet's assaulting column on the third.
When Major Ellis' detail came within about three hundred and fifty yards of
the house the whole right of Thomas' brigade began firing, and from them
the detail received its worst cutting. Adjutant Doten once referred in a letter
to the writer to his emotions in the " rush across that bullet swept plain,"
and when subsequently his correspondent took him to the Long Lane and
The Perils of Them. — Little Jeff.
T9
pointed out the location of Thomas' brigade he said at once ; " Now I know
where that strong flank fire came from ! " This flank fire could be termed
volleys, and several were hit by it; but the majority, heated and panting,
reached the goal, some entering the house and others continuing on to the barn.
The men never could describe their feelings on those mad runs for life. We
have never heard any really attempt it. The excitement, the frenzied effort,
the terrible sense of imminent, savage danger could not be clearly called up
nor could words express them — as Lieut. Fiske once wrote us: " When I
try to write it I get stuck ; in fact a battle is a plaguey poor thing to put on
paper — some how it won't ^^/^/." There fell* on the way Lieut. Seward of
Co. I, shot through the bodv, and Lieut. Seymour, of the same company,
shot through the leg. Both got oft' the field. Little Jeft' Brainerd of Co. F
while dashing along
with break-neck speed
fell witha mortal wound.
He was the life of his
compan}', full of rollick-
ing fun, and when Capt.
B r o a t c h heard him
"■yell" and saw him
leap into the air he
thought it was " one of
Jefl^'s antics." Poor,
dear boy, when he
touched the earth he
rose no more unhelped.
Sergt. Maj. Hincks as
he rushed by heard his
shrill cry: "My God!
my God, I'm hit ! — Oh,
how it /iter ^s me \" He
was borne back and
in a few minutes expired while saying to his chaplain, who was holding him
and trying to soothe his agonies, " Tell my mother-tel-1-m-y." When the
rebels were leaving the house as our men rushed up one of their latest shots
gave to Sergt. Baldwin of Co. I a fatal wound, and another gave to John
Fox of Co. A a serious wound of the thigh.
The 'house seemed a poor place for protection, bullets piercing the thin
siding and windows, so some of the men left it, running to the barn or taking
refuge at the wood-pile or elsewhere out of doors. But it was dangerous
exposing head, hand or foot outside of either building, as the enemy had
been so reinforced by constant additions from their main line that their guns
F. Hall.
The Knowlton Marker on Bliss House
* No distinctive list of the casualties of the Bliss place affair has everj'et been made.
The writer hopes to yet make an approximately correct one.
t This pillar marker was the gift of our Comrade Knowlton.
20 A Gallant Ride.
were ready to cover every point, and the rear of the barn afforded but few
openings to fire from. To make matters worse, a battery about five hundred
yards in rear of the buildings began firing shells at them, and when their
terrific crash was heard the men feared their own doom was sealed. Clements
of Co. G was killed by one of these shells, and Lieut. Knowlton received
from a scrap " a welt," as he described it, that nearly broke his back. T. W.
Gardner of Co. H, while at one of the windows, was struck by a bullet that
plowed a pennanent furrow along the top of his head.
Though the men plied their rifles the best they could they seemed in a trap
and doomed to stay until exterminated, for the order, as understood, was '■ to
take and hold'' the buildings. It was not known by them that any modifying
order existed, though such had been given. As Col. Smyth was accompany-
ing one detail over the Emmetsburg road Lieut. Seymour went to him and
said : " If in event of our capturing the house and barn the rebs. make it so
hot we can't hold them shall we fire them.? " " We don't know the word
can't ! " replied Col. S. Hardly had the lieutenant resumed his position at
the head of his company when Col. Smyth rode up to him and said : " If they
make it too hot for you, burn the buildings and return to the line." No other
person than the lieutenant heard the instructions, and when he soon after fell
helpless the line rushed on, giving him no chance to communicate the order
to the commander — so our men, ignorant of its existence, held on in their
beleagured places.
At last those at headquarters seemed to become aware of the desperate
straits of our men and Genl. Hays sent them instructions to burn the build-
ings and return to the main line. The order was borne by Capt. Postles of
Col. Smyth's staffs, a cavalier true, riding a large, powerful horse. He knew
the undertaking was a daring one but he did not understand it fully until
he reached a point where he took in at a glance the full line of fire he must
run the gauntlet of Then, as he once told the writer, he said to himself:
'' My God, there's no chance for me ! " But, bold rider that he was, he
struck spurs into his horse's flanks, those long, vicious looking rowels w^e
always noticed jingling at his heels when he was on his tours of inspection,
knowing that his only chance lay in keeping his horse in swift motion, and
dashed on with lightning speed, our men watching in breathless suspense
and the rebels holding their guns at sight awaiting a moment's halting or
change of direction of the rider to deliver their fire. When he reached the
barn, knowing that still he must keep that *■' devil of a beast" in motion and
give the Johnnies no opportunity to draw a bead on him, he made the spurs
still do their wicked work, holding with tightest rein his furious charger
until the frantic creature leaped wildly into the air, while he shouted his
order into the ears of Major Ellis and received the salute of acknowledg-
ment ; then, saluting in return, he let out his hand and the horse shot out like
a catapult charge and swept away with mighty bounds, the whole skirmish
line of the enemy pouring quick volleys after him. His celerity saved him,
as it is almost impossible to hit an object moving with such velocity — for
when the bullet reaches the point aimed at the object aimed at is not there —
A Burning Question Settled. 21
iind soon the gallant captain was safe within our lines unhurt, after one of
the wildest and most danger-fraught runs ever chronicled. When he reached
a point of safety he turned his panting steed facing the enemy and waved his
hat to the disappointed "Chivalry" — and they responded with a salvo of
cheers.
The order received, preparations were instantly made for firing the build-
ings. Wisps of hay and straw were soon on fire and by numerous hands
applied at different places in the barn, and in the house a straw bed was
■emptied upon the floor and the match applied. Then the men, taking up
tenderly their wounded and dead and gathering their arms, started on their
perilous return, running nearly the same hazard as when advancing. When
they reached the Emmettsburg road they turned and saw how well they
had done their work of destruction, the flames then bursting fiercely
out of house and barn. A little halting at the road by a small build-
ing in the shade to catch breath and to slake their terrific thirst at a well, and
then the boys returned to the ridge to rest and reflect. There have been
many strange claims made by men of other regiments to having burned the
Bliss buildings, but they have all subsided upon the clear showing of the
<:laim of the Fourteenth, and historians make full concession. Major Ellis
made explicit statement of the affair in his official report of the battle writ-
ten three days after its occurrence, and about five years after the close of the
war a large number of affidavits of officers and men of the regiment who
participated in it were collected and forwarded to Col. Batchelder, author-
ized historian of the battle of Gettysburg; and why when in 1SS4 we were
preparing our monument on the ridge we were obliged to contend so strongly
to establish our claims against several eager aspirants to the honor surpasses
our comprehension.
Purcell's battery of Pegrani's battalion that bombarded the buildings
claimed that they had fired them with their shells, and one member of that
battery once hotly contended with the writer that their claim was well
founded and that Genl. Hill had announced it in his official report. It was
a simple thing to show him that one hundred men /V^ those buildings who
were doing the firing under stress would be less likely to be mistaken than
gunners five hundred yards away, and that two buildings ninety yards apart
would not be likely to burst into flames shitultaneously from shells. Our
friend admitted the mistake of himself and his comrades and afterwards
explained the modus operandi of his battery. He said the men were
directed to place ten shells beside each of the four guns of the battery and to
■continue firing them leisurely at the buildings until they were vacated.
" And," said he, " we fired every one of those forty shells at you." So the
men of the Fourteenth who were in those buildings can now gauge the
measure of their danger. General Thomas (Confederate) once vehemently
asserted to the writer that men of his brigade fired the buildings, but he
gave it up ; and now we think no ghost of either "■ Yank " or "Johnnie"
will ever rise to dispute the just claim of the Fourteenth.
The daughter of Mr. Bliss writes that when the family returned to their
22 A Culinary Episode.
place after the battle most of the wall of the barn was standing, though
"all the wood-work was burned out," and that the house was entirely
destroyed.
This affair of the Bliss buildings was one of the most thrilling and peril-
ous of the experiences of the Fourteenth. We believe it to have been the
most notable episode connected with the doings of any individual regimefzt
occurring during the great battle of Gettysburg. It occurred in clear sight
of both armies on the wide plain extending between them, eliciting their
eager attention and inducing many interchanges of artillery sparring. Had
the buildings been destroyed the first time captured by our troops many lives
uselessly sacrificed would have been spared and much needless suffering
avoided. It was one of the " fool things " of war. Yet it was a grand les-
son to our boys, and it furnished one of the brightest points of their most
glowing record. In that brilliant sortie some precious lives went out, some
cripples were made, and every man that escaped hurt came back panting
and wearied and feeling that " out of the jaws of death " had he come.
After the return to the ridge the men lay resting, or preparing their food,
or penning notes for the anxious ones at home until the hour of sultriest noon
\vas past. One bit of culinary enterprise, interesting victually if not vitallv
during this time to several men of one group, deserves chronicling as pictur-
ing a bit of soldier life and demonstrating the perfectness of military and
moral discipline existing in the Fourteenth. That group gave undivided
attention to an endeavor of fire and water to reduce the flesh of a veteran
fowl in a pot to an impressionable condition. That fowl a little before was
boldly bossing his little company in the barnyard of Mr. Bliss. Sergt. De
Forest coveted it, his mouth moist in thought of the delicious fricassees it
was evidently created for, but he was too conscientious and too soldierly to
lay hands upon it until unquestioned authority was acquired. He approached
Adjutant Doten and gravely requested permission to take the fowl under his
protection and introduce it (improved) to some of his comrades. The ad-
jutant sympathized with man and bird and thought they should be friends,
so he encouraged the alliance ; and amid the crack of rifles and the banging
of the artillery the sergeant pursued his game until victorious, and he bore
it under his arm unharmed to the ridge. When the ball opened later that
poultry was still in the pot " kicking " against reduction — and it is still a
conundrum with us what became of Al. De Forest's chicken.
While the men were waiting, conjecturing what might be the next move
in this gigantic battle-play, well judging it was likel}' to be a surprise, sud-
denly it revealed itself. Lee, disappointed that on the first day his arm}' had
failed to annihilate the two corps opposed to it and secure a foothold on
Cemetery Hill, and still more seriously disappointed at the final almost boot-
less outcome of the attack upon the Union left on the second as well as the
total failure of the attack on East Cemetery Hill on the evening of the same
day, and knowing that something more decisive and advantageous must be
accomplished by him if possible, resolved upon one supreme eftbrt against
our centre on the third. Longstreet, wisely apprehensive of the results ot
Preparing for the Grand Assault. 2^
such a movement, advised him that he had still an excellent opportunity to
move around the left of Meade's army and maneuver him into an attack ;
but Lee, put upon his mettle, replied, '-pointing his fist at Cemetery Hill,
' The enemy is there and I am going to strike him there I ' " He directed
Longstreet to take charge of the preparation and execution of the assault,*
putting in Pickett's fresh division of his own corps, and promised him troops
of three diA'isions of Hill's corps. Pickett's division of three brigades —
Corse's brigade of that division being away south — had not participated at
all in the previous engagements, having been left at Chambersburg to de-
stroy railroads. It had come up to within about three miles of Gettysburg
by the afternoon of the second and bivouacked there. It was put in motion
a little before daylight on the third and by about 7 o'clock was in position,
in rear of batteries, one-fourth mile or more to the west of the Emmettsburg
road, somewhat southwest of the Codori buildings. At the left of Pickett's
three brigades were placed the four brigades of Heth's division of Hill's
corps, and at left, or rear, of these two brigades of Pender's division of the
same corps, while at the right of Pickett were two brigades of Anderson's di-
vision of that corps as a supporting column. It has been put into history
that the brigades of Thomas and McGowan lying in Long Lane were
designed, and served, as a supporting column at the left, but those officers
do not report, officially, as so serving.
There have been various estimates of the strength of the assaulting column,
some placing it as high as seventeen or eighteen thousand men. The Confeder-
ates, who were wont to announce estimates of their ovt'n forces in engagements
ridiculously low, give the number variously from eleven thousand to thirteen
thousand. Walter Harrison, Inspector General of Pickett's Division, in a
published volume from his own hand entitled " Pickett's Men," states that
there was in Pickett's three brigades of fifteen regiments that morning "■ an
aggregate efl:'ective strength of 4,700 rank and file." There were of the
three other divisions furnishing men for the column, omitting the brigades
of Thomas and McGowan already referred to, eight brigades, having an aggre-
gate of thirty-five regiments, making with Pickett's men fifty regiments. Some
of these lattej' regiments were larger than those of Pickett's division, but if
we estimate their number in the ratio of the regiments of Pickett's brigades
as stated by Harrison we have an aggregate force of the fifty regiments of
151650, which corresponds with General Hancock's estimate given in his
official report made soon after the battle that the force " exceeded 15.000
men."
To prepare the way and make effective the onset of this great force Lee
directed a cannonading to precede it that he believed might put " hors de
*This furnishes reason for calling the assault Longstreet's, though Swallow saj's it
should be called Hill's, as the latter furnished the most inen for it. It should not be
called Pickett's, as the latter officer commanded only his own division of three brigades,
and it never has been shown, so far as we can learn, that he fersotially advanced fur-
ther than the Codori place, if as far as that, while the other division commanders led
their troops imtil they fell wounded. It should be called Longstreet's charge in order
to do justice to all the troops of the Second Corps who confronted the array.
24
The Artillery Struggle.
combat" our forces on the ridge. Colonel Alexander, chief of his artillery,
states that he arranged " 75 guns in what was practically one battery along
the Emmettsburg road ridge, disposed to fire at Cemetery Hill and batteries
south of it which would have a fire on our advancing infantry," and that
there were sixty-three guns at his left along Seminary Ridge (Hill's corps),
making an aggregate of one hundred and thirty-eight guns within entirely
effective frontal range. There w'ere other guns in their lines beyond, nota-
bly the Whitworth, our English friends' present, on Oak Ridge beyond the
town that threw several of its bolts into the line of the Fourteenth — in all
about one hundi'ed and fifty pieces. The Union position being the inner of
the concentric lines afforded less space for placing batteries. ' General Hunt,
chief of our artillery, states that he had "• compactly arranged on our left
McGilvery's artillery of forty-one guns which with the twenty-six guns of
the Second Corps artillery and four guns of Daniel's ' Horse Artillery' aggre-
gated seventy-one guns in position" to reply to the one hundred and thirty-
eight guns of the enemy. Rittenhouse's battery of six guns on Little Round
Top and eighteen or twenty guns of Osborne's artillery on Cemetery Hill
proper could put in some fire, but, as General Hunt says, '' they were offset
by batteries similarly placed on the ffanks of the enemy."
A hush seemed to have fallen on the whole field as the sun passed the
meridian and men on either side were listlessly enduring the torrid heat on
the unprotected ridges, when suddenly the ball opened and men instinctively
knew a Titanic struggle had been initiated. Col. Alexander says : "At
exactly one o'clock by
my watch the two sig-
nal guns were heard in
quick succession. In
another minute every
gun was at work." Our
batteries had been di-
rected to withhold their
fire in reply a little time
until they could locate
the most destructive
batteries of the enemy
and then single out such
for special attention, re-
sulting in a more moder-
ate but far more effec-
tive fire. The enemy's
rapid, hasty firing was
not conducive to good
aim, as known to us and
confessed by them, and
a large propoi'tion of the shells passed harmlessly over our line to the
depressed ground in the rear, Meade's headquarters building there sut-
Meade's Headquarters Gettysburg, after the Battle.
A Terrible Ordeal.
25
ering severely. When the tornado came our infantrymen hastened to
the slight protection of their low stone walls, and soon the mighty
chorus was all on. The wall in front of the Fourteenth was a simple
affair, but the men crouched down by it as their only friendly shelter.
Who can describe their feelings in their helplessness and apprehen-
siveness during the hour and forty minutes they lay enwrapped in the
sulphurous canopy of smoke from our battery near while the awful pounding-
went on ! The palpitating air was filled with the roar of the more than two
hundred pieces in incessant discharge, their thunderous explosions threaded
and tortured by the screaming, shrill screeching and snapping of the hurt-
ling shells. The rock-based ridge throbbed under the mighty pulsations and
the fields trembled with the jarrings of the terrific storm. Closer crowded
the men to the wall as the moments, such long ones, passed and there was
no lull. They heard the cries of the wounded batterymen and the agonized
screams of the mangled horses, or the sudden swell-out of the exploding
•caisson's sound, and all the while in monotonous repetition the orders of the
battery commanders near : " No. i, aim ! fire ! load ! " — " No. 3, aim ! fire I
load ! " the changing voices giving the orders suggesting significantly that some
had fallen at their posts. Captain Broatch described it : '• The air was filled
with smoke so dense that objects could not be seen a distance of four rods.
Some shell drove through the wall causing wounds and death. The strain
upon the nerves as we lay hugging the ground while fragments of shell were
■dropping around us was great, and after a while a reaction took place and we
dozed, only to be awakened by the bursting of a shell near or the crushing
■of our stone wall." Sergeant Major Hincks wrote : " One of the guns was
•directly behind m.e and at every discharge threw the gravel over me, and
I could not only see and smell the thick cloud of burning powder but could
taste it also. So hot was it that the drops of perspiration falling from m}-
face made mud of the dirty soil on which we were stretched. No one
moved or spoke except the gunners behind me." And so these good men
lay, in the momentai-y expectation of being mangled or sent into eternity,
never fleeing from their assigned post, enduring horrors of feeling never to
be described — all for the Union.
Down upon the picket line and at the reserve post in front our isolated
men were in a position as trying between the two fires. Over them was a
constantly moving arch of iron missiles screeching like fiends their defiance
while passing each other in mid air. Those in the reserve were near enough
to the battery line to be exposed to short-dropping shells, one of which fell
among them, wounding to the death brave Julian of Co. D. and further
wounding Sergt. Hirst and others — but no one dared stir lest a worse fate
should befall him. At last the seemingly interminable conflict did end. In
about one hour and a half the Union batteries suddenly ceased action.
General Hunt says he ordered this, " seeing the ammunition running low,"
and it seems also to have been to give the enemy the impression that our line
had succumbed and to develop sooner their further purpose.
The enemy's firing continued a few minutes longer and then gradually
26
Getting Ready for the Infantry.
came to an end. Some of our batteries that were badly damaged or depleted
of men were withdrawn and others from the reserve hastened to their places.
Arnold's battery, by the Fourteenth, because of its specially exposed position
on the highest point of our ridge was used up to a degree surpassing others.
The remnants were at once withdrawn.
Now our men breathed again and arose from their constrained positions.
Well they knew, however, that a severer, deadlier trial might be awaiting
them, but they rejoiced that it might be one they could face and give blow
for blow in. What Maj. Ellis voiced : " Now they mean to charge with all
their infantry ! " they anticipated. The batter}^ ordered to fill Arnold's
vacated place having, by some misunderstanding of orders, failed to come
up the gap must needs be filled by extending still more the slender line of the
14 C. V. position by wall in foreground. — Rebel position at trees in bacl<ground. — Ground over which Heth
and Pender charged intermediate. — Orchard far in front shows location of Bliss buildings.
Fourteenth. Maj. Ellis' orders rang out : " Left face ! forward, march ! halt !
front ! forward, guide right ! " and the boys were in loco permanent. Then,
the cloud of smoke having entirely lifted, came a wonderful and startling
sight — the emergence of the eleven rebel brigades from cover on the opposite
ridge to advance upon us. Pickett's division, having farthest to go, started
first, passing through Alexander's batteries and advancing obliquely upon
the Second Division of the Second Corps at the clump of trees. Heth's four
A Magnificent Array. 2 7
brigades, commanded by Pettigrew, came over the ridge opposite our di-
vision and completed formation on the slope in front. It did not require
long to have the whole grand force in array ready to move forward. Pickett's
division was arranged with two brigades in front, Kemper's at right and Gar-
nett's on his left, with Armistead in rear of Garnett, the nature of the ground
not permitting him to form on the left of the latter. Of Heth's division,
Archer's brigade, in the order of the ist Tenn., 13th Ala., 14th Tenn.,7th
Tenn., 5th Ala., was directly in front of theFourteenth, and at theleftof Archer
were the other three brigades of the division ; while the brigades of Lane
and Scales of Pender's division, commanded that day by Trimble, formed in
their rear. When all these troops had emerged from the screen of woods on
the crest their front reached well down the slope. And what an array ! A
mile or more in length and several ranks deep of gray uniforms and shining
sabres and sabre sheaths, gleaming gun barrels and bayonets, with dancing,
showy battle-banners of crimson crossed with starred blue, all glowing under
a midsummer's brightest sun ! And what an impression of immensity and
power those fifteen thousand armed men in alignment gave ! It seemed as
though they might sweep the continent and trample all things under their
feet. Such panoply, moved as to each individual of it by fiery will and
resolution and brawny, well trained muscle, might appear well nigh irre-
sistible. To military men the sight was entrancing and an eager desire to
watch its fascinating movements the natural one. " 'Twere worth ten years
of peaceful life, one glance at that array ! " But our men knew its significance.
The cannons' thunder had been awful and their slanting tornado of bolts
terrible, though comparatively harmless, but this array was the lightning,
swift, sharp, fierce, aggressive, coming with its multiplied bayonet points
straight at their breasts, and they must face it and quencli, it or woe betide
themselves and woe betide the Union they were sacrificing everything to save.
And what was there to meet this.^ Opposed to the six brigades, twenty-
seven regiments, of Heth and Pender were the two brigades, eight regi-
ments, of Hay's division — for Carroll had not returned to us — all these regi-
ments greatly reduced. The Fourteenth had fewer than six score men, and
the other regiments of the brigade, though larger, had lost many, while the
Third Brigade had lost about one-third of its number in the engagement of
the second. At our left there were to confront Pickett and the two brigades
of Anderson's division the three brigades of Gibbon's division of our corps,
to be assisted by Stannard's '' Vermont Brigade." Rebel writers have
spoken of the almost imperceptible inclination of the ground in our front as a
steep declivity^ and have mentioned the several lines they had to encounter,
as " the first line " and "the second line" to drive in and the third "'en-
trenched line " to storm at last, but where our regiment was there was onlv
one attenuated line, and no supports.
Our men at once prepared for the struggle, piling a little the thrown down
stones of the wall, emptying their cartridge boxes upon the ground for ready
handling of ammunition and resting their rifles on the wall for steady aim ;
for seconds were precious and every shot must tell.
23 The Oncoming. — Opposition.
Instantly upon the formation of lines and throwing out several yards in
front a line of skirmishers the enemy began advancing, in a movement so
regular, so rhythmical, so automatic in appearance that all seemed some vast,
animated machine — and all made straight for the two small, fated divisions
of the Second Corps. Pickett moving obliquely upon the Second Division,
having the now famous " Clump of trees " as his guide, at first there was a
gap between his left and Archer's right, but it lessened constantly, until,
when near the Emmettsburg road, in front of the Fourteenth, Garnett and
Archer met and lapped. But they were not to come on unmolested, even at
long range. Says Alexander: " No sooner had our infantry debouched on
the plain than all the enemv's line, which had been nearly silent, broke out
again with all its batteries." Lee's Adjt. Genl. says: "As Pickett's brig-
ades approach the enemy's line a most terrific fire of artillery * * * Js
concentrated upon them." Wilcox, at right of Pickett, says in his official
report: "The enemy's artillery opened on them on both flanks and directly
in front." Col. Swallow, a staff' officer in Ewell's corps, who was, with
many other officers, during all the engagement in an elevated position near
Gettysburg from which the whole field could be seen without obstruction,
sa3'S that " when Trimble's column was well out upon the plain artillery
suddenly opened upon his lines a most terrific fire from Cemetery Hill, and
upon the right Little Round Top was in a perfect blaze and sent forth a con-
tinuous and inextinguishable flame of fire, hurling missiles of destruction into
our advancing lines." Jones, commanding a brigade in Heth's division,
reports : " When about one-halfway across the enemy opened on us a most
destructive fire of grape and canister." Our Genl. Hunt says: "As the
enemy advanced McGilvery opened an oblique, destructive fire reinforced by
that of Rittenhouse's six rifle-guns near Round Top which were served with
remarkable accuracy, enfilading Pickett's lines." He adds : " The batteries
of the Second Corps, having nearly exhausted their supply of ammunition
except canister^ were compelled to withhold until the enemy came within
its range." McGilvery makes a similar report, saying also: "We had a
raking fire through all their lines. The execution must have been terrible
and the effect was plain to be seen." Osborne, whose eighteen or twenty
guns were on the southern slope of East Cemetery Hill, reports: " The
whole force of our artillery was brought to bear upon this column (the ene-
my's left), and the havoc produced was truly surprising. We used, accord-
ing to distance, all descriptions of projectiles." General Howard in official
report and in published articles makes similar statements, and the writer's
friend of Purcell's battery once told him that after their infantry passed the
guns of his battery he walked down the slope about two hundred yards for
a better view and he saw "one shell knock out," as it appeared to him,
" nearly two rods of men in one rank."
Col. Broatch, in a communication to the writer in 18S4, says: "The
shells from the batteries away to our left were cutting great gaps in their
lines, but they never faltered." Many of our men seem to have scarcely
noticed this artillery work, or to have forgotten it, so absorbed were they in
An Exciting Moment. — "Fire!" 2Q
observing the formidable force directly in front and in preparing for the com-
ing struggle. Yet that it did occur there is abundant proof, much more than
we have adduced. But too great importance has been attached to it as
affecting the final repulse of the foe, some even attributing this wholly to it.
A writer up of the excursion of the i6th Connecticut in 1S90 implies that
the artillery did the work of demoralizing and repulsing the charge. Nay,
it scarcely affected the ranks except at the flanks. In front of our centre but
little havoc was made bv it. The ridge opposite the Fourteenth was but
about thirteen hundred and fifty yards away. No firing of artillery occurred
until the front rank of the enemy was four hundred yards or more down the
slope, and the distance to be traversed before the firing must cease because
of danger to some of our own positions could not require more than five or
six minutes for a quicklv marching column. But a fev\^ hundreds could be
knocked out in that time, and even if a full thousand had been what would
they be out of over fifteen thousand ? The firing shattered the lines at the
ends only, and these lines steadily closed up and pressed towards the centre,
keeping that intact and solid all the time. Our men saw but an undiminished,
really increasing, array of a vast, moving hostile force, and knew that upon
our infantry depended its defeat.
As the rebel pickets on the line fell in with the advancing skirmishers our
skirmishers on the front line rose and slowly fell back, firing into the faces
of the foe. When the order was heard: " Rally on the reserve!" they
joined the latter and all fell back to the position on the ridge, taking their
places among their comrades — and now all the members of the little Four-
teenth band were together, shoulder to shoulder ready for the supi^eme,
crucial moment, with tingling nerves and bated breath awaiting the onset.
Hardly could they be restrained from firing when the enemy came near
enough for their good rifles to reach them, but the strict order of General
Hays had been announced that not a gun should be fired until the enemy
should reach the Emmettsburg road. Major Ellis emphasized this order,
Adjutant Doten went forth and back along the line repeating it, and Sergeant
Major Hincks and the line officers reiterated it— and so our men, with aim
well taken and finger on trigger, submissively waited. The long range bat-
teries had nearly all ceased their firing and a stillness supervened that made
the sound of the enemy's tread audible and the calm orders of the officers:
" Steady men ! Guide centre ! " to come up as distinctly as though delivered
on dress-parade.
Just after Archer's line and Garnett's lapped and the men of Virginia
grasped the hands of the Tennesseeans the fence was reached, and simulta-
neously with it rang out at our brigade the order: "Fire!" "Fire!!"
" Fire ! ! ! "— ^and our rifles spoke in a volley so full, so well directed that the
front line of the enemy mounting the fence seemed wiped away.
Swallow, who was intently watching, says: "As soon as the top of the
fence was lined with troops the whole line tumbled over, falling into the bed
of the road, while the enemies' bullets buried themselves into the bodies of
the falling victims. * * * Scores of survivors often related their anxious
30
A Bloody Rp:pulse.
suspense and the length of time it seemed to climb to the top of that fence."
Yet hundreds pressed over, forming a strong array to advance against our
position, and Garnett's men to attack the angle close at our left. No batterv
iielped our end of the division for the one ordered to replace Arnold's had
not yet come up, and our men must rely on their own pieces alone. Their
nerves were steady, their courage was grand, and they plied their w^eapons
with such swift, remorseless stroke that the enemy went down like grain
before the reapers. That tempest of lead they could not hold against. As
Longstreet said : " When the line behind that stone wall rose and delivered
its fire mortal flesh could not vyithstand it." But their pluck is good and
numbers attempt to drive on, judging it impossible to retreat ; imtil shattered
imder the pitiless storm, their hope gone, they fling themselves upon the
ground or take shelter behind any possible object. Trimble's two brigades
in second line have struck heavily the right of our division but have been
completely repulsed and broken up by our unflinching infantry, assisted bv
Woodruff's guns well served with canister.* Kemper at right of Garnett,
deflected to the right by the Codori buildings, turns by half wheel to left to
Codori Buildings and ground over winicin Piol<ett's Div. advanced. Lone Tree at extreme right of middle
ground is at corner of Angle where Cushing's right gun stood. Right of Wall vi/as left of 14th 0. V.
strike the brigades of Hall and Harrow of the Second Division and the left
of Webb at the clump of trees, but McGilvery's guns and Stannard's
muskets smash his flank and Hall and Harrow break him all up. And now
the vital moment of the great battle has come. Armistead, who, shielded
by Garnett, has received butlittle harm, crossing the Emmettsburg road forms
rapidly his men for a charge, and dashes, at the double quick, the double and
tripple-shotted guns of Gushing flinging canister into their faces, against the
* Major Hincks wrote : " All semblance of lines cease and what had advanced as an
arm}' began to fall back as a mob — not all along nor rapidly, however. The}' still turned
and fired and now and then made a brief stand."
The Climax. tj
iingle.* In a few moments his men are there, and some have swarmed over
the wall and seized some guns, one color-bearer leaping upon the gun nearest
the Fourteenth and waving jubilantly and defiantly his flag. The moment
is a critical one. If the mass passes through and the point is held what can
we say for the army and what for the countrj?? Major Ellis sees the situa-
tion ; quickly he decides. Out rings his order : " Fourteenth ! left oblique,
fire ! " and the hundred rifles play quickly their hot volleys into flank and
front of the surging host, the First Delaware on our right doing the same ;
^nd quickly as a spasm the fray is over. Armistead had leaped the wall
with fifty or sixty of his men and advanced a few paces within the angle, but
it availed him nothing, for in a few moments all, leader and followers, were
stretched upon the ground lifeless or wounded or were made prisoners. This
last, desperate struggle that might seem long was but brief To our men it
seemed a wild, svv^ift, bewildering dream of a few minutes — rush, crash,
tiirmoil, slaughter, dissolution. Our friend of Furcell's battery, who was
vs'atching it with eager solicitude, says he saw an oflficer (Armistead) '" hold-
ing up something on a stick or sword," lead his men on a rapid charge
against the wall ; that there was a boiling commotion, a fierce struggle, and
then all was over — " all in a few seconds." Pickett's Inspector General says :
"■ Our men swarmed over the fence and among the enemy's guns and were
swallowed up in smoke — and that was the last of them."|
The scene now in front of the Fourteenth was indescribable. Poor
wounded wretches, scattered or lying in heaps, over the fields and in the road
far in front, were writhing in agonies or straightening out in the last death
shiver. Some unhurt ones who dared were running with all their might to
reach their own lines. Some of Armistead's men, pressed out beyond
the angle in front of our men, were daringly grouping for some resistance, or
flinging themselves upon the ground with Pettigrew's men, while a sizable
group still clung to the front of the angle for protection and maintained their
firing. Those upon the ground, now thoroughly bereft of hope and filled with
fear, raised handkerchiefs, | that looked like leaflets fluttering in the breeze,
iind waved them above their heads, cr3'ing out mightily for quarter. By the
*NoTE. — When standing near our monument at G. a few jears ago Captain Doten
pointed to the spot, about two hundred and fifty jards at front and left of us, where he
t;aw a mounted officer (Armistead undoubtedly) form his brigade, on the run, in column
of division and without a moment's interruption charge at tlie angle.
tThe same authority says of his division : " On the morning of the 4th we could
not report an aggregate of 1,000 muskets, and this after returning to the ranks and
arming all the cooks and ambulance men." He further says : " The exact number of
the killed, wounded and missing as subsequently ascertained amounted to 3.393 ; just
about three-fourths of the force carried into action." Reports of Heth's and Pender's
officers show losses in nearly the same proportion. Archer's brigade, in front of the
Fourteenth, lost more than one-half of its men its commander reports, and he adds :
'• Of the seven field officers who went into the charge only two came out." Our boys
took in some of them.
I Of these handkerchiefs Maj. Hincks wrote: "Where they got them all I don't see,
for upon a closer view afterwards we failed to see anything white in either their cloth-
ing or complexions."
-2 2 Prisoners and Battle-Fi.ags Galore.
time of Armistead's charge the men of the Fourteenth had become so excited
that all precautions to keep sheltered were set at naught, and they rose, wildly
cheering and shouting and firing as rapidly as possible. Because of this
several were wounded who otherwise might not have been, Lieut. Tibhitts
for one, and brave Goodell was killed. But exultation had begun to swell
their breasts and would not be suppressed, and in memoiy of past disadvan-
tages this one great opportunity called out shouts : " Give it to 'em boys I "'
"■ Now we've got you ! " " Sock it to the blamed rebels ! " " Fredericks-
burg on the other leg ! " " Hurrah ! never mind who's hit, give it to 'em I "^
— and many another phrase not current in these lines. When the total col-
lapse in front came the spirit of the men was unrestrainable. They ran
down from the wall gathering in their tale of prisoners and seizing battle-
flags. More than two hundred men, field officers, line officers and men of
the ranks, were captured by our jubilant boys ; and the same scene was en-
acting all along the front of ovu" division. One flag was flying defiantly di-
rectly in front of the regiment's centre, about ninety yards away. Maj. Ellis
called for volunteers to bring it in. Capt. Broatch leaped the wall, calling :
"Company A, rally for that color! " Lieut. Brigham also started, eager to
secure the prize, but quickly fell with a foot wound that crippled him for
life. Sergt. Maj. Hincks, who had already made up his mind that he must
have that flag, started ; and running straight towards it our slender limbed
Mercury outstripped all competitors and, regardless of thickly flying bullets-
from foe and friend, and unharmed by them, reached and seized the " banner
with the strange device " and bore it back, amid the cheers and congratula-
tions of his comrades. It was the flag of the 14th Tennessee and was the
first color captured. Brave Corpl. Chris. Flynn of Co. K rushed down,,
heedless of dangers, and snatched the flag of the 52d North Carolina from
its guard, and E. W. Bacon of Co. F, with equally perilous run, seized that
of the i6th North Carolina.* Those of the ist Tennessee and 4th Virginiaf
were captured by others.
While our commander reported^z^e battle-flags captured by the regiment
there has been a general belief among our men that six were taken.' The
diary of Sergt Wade of Co. F reads, '" We captured 6 battle-flags," and in
the diary of the writer appears, as penciled that eventful evening: "The
regt. took more than 200 prisoners and 6 colors." Others made similar
notings. Perhaps the matter is explained in the statement of Frank Somers
of the band that " one flag captured, a splendid silk flag, was torn oft' the
staft'by the finder and concealed under his coat until he got a chance to send
"it home." This may have been the missing sixth.
* Messrs. Hincks, Bacon and Flynn afterwards received the United States Medal of
Honor for deeds of special bravery.
t There must be a mistake as to the capture of the color of the 4th Va. though so
reported by Maj. Ellis. The 4th Va. was in the old "Stonewall Brigade" in, Ewell's
Corps and was at Lee's left engaged against Gulp's Hill. The 14th Va. was in Arm-
istead's brigade, a part of which was opposed to our regiment, and presumably it was-
the flag of that regiment instead of that of the ^//^ Va. that was captured.
At the Wind-up. o^^
When the enemy was well broken up in our front a battery of brass guns,
long delayed, came up to replace Arnold's. One gun was quickly wheeled
into position near our left, loaded with canister and fired at the retreating
ones. The result was, that one of our regiment was killed and others hurt.
Henry Hasler of Co. K, who was just in front of the gun as about to be
discharged, saw his danger and flung himself upon the ground just in time
to save himself; and his remonstrances, with those of others, prevented any
further use of the piece there.
Well might the Fourteenth rejoice at such success at their position. They
had the weakest line, as to numbers, along the front, and when the repulse
of the enemy was accomplished scarcely a cartridge remained in the regi-
ment. While the right of the brigade was supported by the Third Brigade
and helped by Woodrufl^'s battery our regiment had absolutely no supports
behind its single thin line, and had the attacking force maintained its align-
ment a little longer and been able to push on a little farther one cannot tell
what the consequences might have been, for our men could then have met
them only with clubbed muskets.
One incident shows the significance of their work. As our prisoners
were being conducted through our line one sturdy fellow^ glancing along our
position and exhibiting surprise, inquired : " Where are your men ?" '•'■ Here
they are," was the reply. " I mean those you had here that gave us such
volleys as we advanced," said he. When assured that all we had at first
were still there except the disabled, he exclaimed : " We could have gone
through if we'd had another line of men ! " Then taking another look he
said, with stronger emphasis : " My God, we could have gone through as
it was if we'd known how few you were!" Then he muttered, with an
oath, as he passed over the ridge : " I'd like to try that over again ! "
It is true that one division of the Twelfth Corps had been sent by Genl.
Slocum, as he reports, " to reinforce the centre" if the enemy should drive
our line from its position, and Col. McDougal, commanding a brigade of
this division, reports : " I proceeded with my command to the rear of the left
centre, near the headquarters of the Commander in Chief." Col. Wooster,
commanding the 20th Connecticut in the latter brigade reports: "The regi-
ment, with the remainder of the First Brigade was then moved across the
Gettysburg (Taneytown) road to support the centre in an attack then being
made " Comrades of this regiment show that they were located in the
vicinity of the barn on the Meade's headquai'ters place. These reinforce-
ments all returned to their old positions unused. Our line was not driven,
and the great victory of the day, the greatest of the war, when, as all
confess, the "backbone of the rebellion was broken," remained with the
glorious old Second Corps, and no insignificant part of it with the regi-
ment whose doings our lines are chronicling.
Well, we paid dearly for it. In all, sixty-six out of about one hundred and
sixty had been lost to us. Thirteen were killed or mortally wounded, forty-
nine wounded and four captured. Some of our wounded received three or
four hits. Right upon the close of the action, among other expressions of
34
Happy !
exuberant rejoicing Genl. Ha3's came cantering by, sans coat, sans hat, sans
collar, his shirt loosened at the throat, holding in each hand a rebel battle-flag
which he was trail-
'-T:r"^w«i3i»raifflLS» -..fsyjn
ingupon the ground
amid the cheers of
our exultant troops.
The evening w^as a
glad one to us. The
Fourteenth was
never so happy be-
fore. Small as it
was, as said the
little gleeful darkey
when asked how old
he was: "Well, if
you goes by what
marm says I spose
Ise about ten yees
old, but if j'ou
reckons by the fun
Ise had I guess Ise
about a hunder,"
so our boys could
have said, in num-
bers we are about
a hundred but in feel-
ings we are about a thousand. They waited the dark night through, largely
sleepless however, apprehensive that the enemy might attempt another sortie.
Right here we must allude to the almost utter failure of some of our men
to recall the action and noise of the artillery during the final struggle, even
of Cushing's and Woodruff^s batteries so near. Of the cannon work at our
right Capt. Hazard, in command of the Second Corps artillery, reports :
" Woodruff' still remained in the grove (Ziegler's) and poured death and
destruction into the rebel lines." Lieut. Col. Bull of the 136th N. Y. regi-
ment, commanding our " Third Brigade," reports : " The enemy * * were
subjected to a murderous fire of musketry and artillery ; " and in a history of
the 136th N. Y. it is stated that details of that regiment helped serve the bat-
tery guns during the last effort.
Scales, commanding one of Pender's brigades, says: "The brigade
encountered a most terrific fire of grape and shell on our flank " (from
Osborne), " and grape and musketry in front." Lawrence, commanding the
34th N. C. regiment, and others report similarl3\ As to Cushing, General
Webb says, in official report : " Three of Cushing's guns were run down to
the fence carrying with them their canister." General Gibbon says : " Our
guns were then well forward * * loaded with canister. * * * As
the front line came up it was met with a withering fire of canister and
Hays' Headquarters after the Battle.— On the battle-line 3d Div., 2d A. C
Helpful Batteries — Cusiting's Death. -jc
musketry." A line once received from our Broatch reads : " Tlie enemy
captured three guns at the projecting angle of the wall at our left which had
been advanced from one of our batteries." Comrade Henry Hasler, of
Co. K, once sent the writer some of his reminiscences of the fight. Accom-
panying the writing was a diagram of the battle-line of our two divisions,
singularly accurate for one drawn from memory after so many years, show-
ing Cushing's full battery located at the front fence in the angle. But the
best testimony, and irrefragable, is from a letter in the writer's possession
written by Lieutenant (now Captain) Frederick Fuger of the 4th U. S.
Artillery, who was Cushing's sergeant at the time of the battle. It is inter-
esting as throwing light upon the doings of the battery and as giving the
true version of the death of Lieutenant Cushing ; a death invested with false,
legendary glamour, the legend perpetuated by the published repetition of
General Doubleday and extensively quoted from him. Fuger writes : " On
the morning of July 3, 1S63, Battery A (Cushing's) occupied a position with
their six guns about 150 feet from the stone wall which was directly in front,
and we kept that position until the artillery duel ceased on both sides.
After the firing ceased General Webb came up to where Cushing stood and
said to Cushing, ' it is my opinion that the rebels will advance their infantry
and attack our position in force.' Cushing replied, ' then I had better run
my guns right up to the stone fence and bring up all the canister alongside
of each piece.' To which Gen. Webb said, ' do so.' The command was
immediately given and the six guns were run by hand to the stone fence,
leaving just room enough between the wall and wheels for cannoneers Nos.
one and two to load ; limbers and caissons did not move. At this time
Lieut. Cushing was not wounded. Within fifteen or twenty minutes after
we had our guns in the new position the rebel infantry were seen advancmg.
The 72d Pa. were directly in our front on the skirmish line and were obliged
to fall back as the enemy advanced in force. As soon as our battery was
unmasked by the 73d P. V. and the enemy were within 400 yards of us we
commenced firing single charges of canister, and at about that time Lieut.
Cushing was wounded in the right shoulder. (Gen. Webb says the right
shoulder-strap was shot completely oft" yet not wounding him.) When the
enemy came within 200 yards we fired double charges of canister with
terrible effect. Cushing about this time was again wounded in the scrotum,
but still he stuck to his post and would not leave the battery. All this time
I was right alongside of Cushing and imparted his orders to the men. Still
the enemy advanced and Cushing ordered the men to triple the charges in
the guns. While finishing the command he was shot through the mouth and
instantly killed. At this time he was about one yard from the trail hand-
spike, and to the right of it, it being No. 3 piece of the battery. I stood to
his right, about two feet from him, with my pistol in my right hand. When
I saw the lieutenant fall forward I dropped my pistol and caught him around
the body with both arms. I saw that he was dead, and ordered Wright, of
the battery, to carry Cushing's body to the rear. Lieut. Neilm * * *
who had command of the left half of our battery, was killed just a moment
36
The Wounded and the Dead.
before Gushing, which left me in command. The insinuation of history
that but one gun was run down to the wall is wrong. The report that Lieut.
Cushing's bowels were shot out is all nonsense. Again, Lieut. Gushing
never fired a gun ; thei'e was no occasion for him to do so. We had enough
men left to do that. The Lieutenant had enough to do to watch the enemy
and give the necessary commands. After sending Gushing's body to the
rear I fired a few rounds of canister ; when the enemy was almost on top of
us I ceased firing and told the men to pitch in with anything they had in
their hands, such as pistols, sabres, sponge-staves, and handspikes, which I
am glad to say they did in good style. * * * ^ fe^vr minutes and all was
over, the rebels retreating. The wall was about fourteen inches in thickness
and the muzzles projected over it"
Of the writer of the above valuable contribution to the exact things of
the battle Genl. Hancock says in his official report: " I desire to bring par-
ticularly to the notice of the Major General commanding the case of First
Sergeant Frederick Fuger, Batty. A, 4th U. S Arty. During the action of
the 3rd his conduct was such as to entitle him to promotion, and his character
is such as to make this a proper method of rewarding his services." That
any of our men should have seemed unconscious of the work of Gushing's
and Woodruft''s batteries at this stage of the action, or that impressions made
on their minds should have been instantly effaced, is not surprising, so in-
tensely absorbed were they in their own thrilling danger and with the de-
mand upon them for desperate action — as even in our quiet home we have, at
times, been so absorbed in writing or reading as to be oblivious to terrific
thunder-storms that have frightened all others in the house.
On the morning of the fourth the rebels advanced somewhat their picket
line and manned it strongly, to keep up the show of force, while all the time
the troops were "silently stealing awav." Our regimental dead were buried
on the ridge, near our position. " The graves of five corporals stand in a
row, all neatly marked with the name, date and regiment," records Major
Hincks. That day our men went into the fields in front, though savagely
fired on by the hostile pickets, to bring in the suffering rebel wounded lying
there in hundreds, moaning or shrieking in their pain — as indeed we had
heard them all through the night previous. Our surgeons and hospital force
were entirely occupied night and day with the care of the thousands or
wounded of both armies needing immediate attention. It rained heavily
that day, increasing our difficulties. On the fifth, Sunday, it was evident
that Lee had retreated. Details were sent out to collect abandoned arms, and
other details to bury the masses of the rebel dead — a sad, sad job. Thev
found the dead in some places so numerous that the ground appeared covered
by them, and one could walk for distances stepping only on bodies of the
slain. The Emmettsburg road directly in our front seemed packed with
them — vast hecatombs to the insatiate Moloch of the cruel and causeless
slaveholders' rebellion. The sight of some of the dead was moving to the
sternest hearts. Some were in attitudes indicating that life went out in agony,
and others holding likenesses of home loved ones they had spent their last mo-
What gave us the Day. oy
ments in gazing upon, or staring with glazed eyes upon the blessed scriptures
that had solaced the dark hours when "• all men had forsaken them." One not
3'et dead, a mere lad, lying on the wet muddy ground, groaning and writhing
in his physical torture, when inquired of as to his sufl'ering replied, as says
Sergeant Wade : " Dreadfully ! dreadfully ! O that my mother was here ! "
Was he very unlike our own " Little Jeft\^" That afternoon the regiment
left the ridge and moved to a locality called Two Taverns, on the Baltimore
pike, and on Tuesday, the seventh, joined the advancing movement of the
corps in pursuit of Lee.
Much stress is laid by Confederate writers generally on an asserted great
numerical disparity between the forces of the two armies engaged, some ex-
travagantly saying that Meade's army outnumbered Lee's as two to one.
To say nothing of the demonstrated fact that the average Union soldier was
equal in battle-work to the average Confederate, we think him proved to
have been a little better, careful computations place the number of combat-
ants present as in the ratio of about seven to six or eight to seven in favor of
the Union army, but in many other respects the advantage was greatly with
Lee. His men had been marching quite leisurely, living in a land of plenty,
and were in the best of condition. In each separate engagement of the three
successive days the Confederates were the attacking party and in each
instance greatly outnumbered their immediate opponents. In such instances
unless the attacked force is strongly entrenched the advantage is usually
with the party making the attack, and it was markedly so at Gettysburg.
Lee would mass, unobserved, a great force against some point of our line
and our leaders w^ould not dare, in the uncertainty, to weaken any other por-
tion of the line to strengthen the point of possible danger. On the first day
about two-thirds of Lee's army had, before evening, fallen upon our two
small corps * well exhausted. In each of the attacks of the second and third
of July he had prepared an immense column and had launched it upon us
suddenly. If anyone asks what gave us the victory at Gettysburg we unhes-
itatingly reply, the stern, unflinching courage of our men and the signal unity
of purpose and thorough devotion of our commanders. Said to the writer
one blood-covered man just out of the vortex of flame and death at the left on
the second: " I never knew our men to fight as they do to-day — they can-
not be whipped." The words of Goodell of the Fourteenth, who, brave
fellow, fell dead, his head pierced by a musket ball, soon after uttering them :
" I would rather be killed than beaten to-day ! " expressed the common sen-
timent of our men.
And now, though we have not related a moiety of what we might upon
our subject, that which has induced our large excursion, we must cease our
talk, for the night is spent and our " boys" and excursionists are awaking
— that is, such as have slept at all, for the memories of Gettysburg were so
hot within them that sleep was barred out with many — and early on this
* The Confederate corps, divisions and brigades were much larger than the aggrega-
tions of corresponding designations of the Union army.
38
Battlefield Reviewing.
fragrant morning moving squads of them are already out threading the quiet
streets on their way to the sacred old stone wall to feast their longing eyes
on a view that memory has kept constantly with them these twenty-eight
years. And the others are astir soon, young men and young women, awake
to the great sentiment and history of the place, and the wives and friends of
the vets, who have heard for almost a lifetime of Gettysburg and what the
Fourteenth did here, are out noting the features of this quiet old town and
preparing for jaunts over the field. The curious old public square, unlike
anvthing seen in New England ; streets intersecting the Baltimore pike, here
called Baltimore Street, one of the most interesting streets in our country's
history, all lined with smallish, stoutly built, snug old houses of plainest
architecture ; buildings of note, as the one whose steeple Genl. Howard used
as a watch-tower, others that had some of the shells of the battle protruding
from their walls, all attracted their eager eyes, and they thought of the day
when our men were hurrying adown these ways, many of them to be shot
down or captured by the crowding hosts of the exulting enemy. And they
thought, too, of the hours when Lee's troops held these streets and houses
and filled the square with their batteries or cavalry, expectant of soon " wip-
ing out the Yankees ; " and then of the day when this same boastful host,
after receiving its most crushing, mortifying defeat, had silently betaken
itself away, bearing disappointment, wounds, heavy losses and forebodings.
Breakfast in due time ready and disposed of, by 8 o'clock carriages began
to arrive for battlefield parties. A large array of them gathered at the
McClellan, with Capt. Long as guide ; another large array at the Eagle with
Mr. Minnich as guide ; while other smaller groups were ready with services
at lower rates for such as wanted them. The carriages did not need to wait
long for their patrons, and in short space the gay, eager crowds were on
their way to what they had long been craving a sight of, the battle-lines and
battle-fields of Gettysburg. Many of our boys preferred to do the fields on
foot, especially as enough had been there before to serve as guides for others,
and so started in little squads, discussing the battle and the place and re-
peating reminiscences all the way as their footsteps kept time to the beating
of their well roused hearts. Some parties went to East Cemetery Hill, to
have indicated to them upon the wonderful panoramic display before their
eyes the place at the little hamlet of Cashtown among the mountains whence
Hill's coi^ps, on the morning of the first of July 1S63, advanced to strike
Buford's cavalry ; the points where the other rebel troops came in from the
directions of Harrisburg and York and almost surrounded the troops of the
First and Eleventh Corps, driving them, after hours of brave and stubborn
resistance, upon and through the town and upon this very hill ; the place of
the severe cavalry engagement of the third day in the distance ; Gulp's Hill
at the right, on whose visible front, not far oft', Wadsworth entrenched on the
night of the first day, and on whose other front Greene's brigade of the Twelfth
Corps completely foiled five fierce onslaughts of some of Early's brigades ;
the noted ground at their feet where the '•'• Louisiana Tigers " and others made
their wild dash, getting among the guns of Rickett's and Wiedrich's batteries,
40
At the Ahmy's Right.
whose locations are now indicated by actual mounted guns and lunettes ; and
the famous cemetery close by, where Howard had his headquarters and which
he held in spite of
determined assaults.
Then they went to
Gulp's Hill to view
the ground of the
desperate charges of
Stewart and others to
capture Greene's po-
sition ; then along the
line where the enemy
succeeded in entering
and occupying, in the
absence of t r o o p s
once holding there
but sent that after-
noon to reinforce our
left, a most promis-
ing location between
portions of our forces,
viewing the fine mon-
ument of the 2oth
Conn, on this line ;
then to Spangler's
Spring, a lovely
woodland spot,
where (and this is no
myth) Yank and Johnny met late at night of the engagement of the second
imd conversed, all unconscious at first that they were not all " of the same
faith." Of course the ubiquitous photographer* had followed and a group
picture was taken on Cemetery Hill.
After a dinner hearty enough for giants and seasoned with war appetites,
all parties started out again. Some went over the first day's field, surprised
that it proved so interesting and that the battle there was so extensive and pro-
tracted, with so man}' features of severe encounter. Parties to Little Round
Top were treated to a view showing a large part of the battlefield from far
below where Hood's men rendezvoused to far above Gettysburg, and the
guides and lecturers pointed out the positions of the engagement of the second
day ; the " Wheatfield," right under the eyes, looking to the front, where
wondrous slaughter was, ground that on that battle-morning was "• a beau-
tiful field of uncut wheat and at night it was hard to tell the growth ;" Tros-
tle's farm, the scene of dreadful cainage ; Houck's Ridge, where men battled
* In the party were three kodakists. Messrs. Hall, Hammond, and Blatchley, and one
photographer, Dr. Sweet.
Spangler's Spring, Gettysburg.
At the Left, and Bliss Place.
41
like tigers and left the rocks and earth gory ; the " Peach Orchard," famed
evermore for its bloodiest of fighting, and wild " Devil's Den," the natu-
ral stronghold of sharp-
shooters, close under to the
left. Northward, on the
right, could be seen all the
Union position to East Cem-
etery Hill, and opposite that
Seminary Ridge, the loca-
tion of Hill's corps, to its
termination beyond the
town ; and beyond that Oak
Ridge. Down to Devil's
Den the group went and felt
no surprise that tlie wild,
disordered mass of rocks had
received such a sulphurous
name nor that the rebel
cracksmen found it so fine
a place to gather, for a time,
a harvest of our choicest
ones on the hill ; and they
did not regret to be told that
■when our marksmen got in
their work from the sides of
leafy Round Top they mer-
cilessly "cleaned out" the
pestiferous nest of destroyers.
On the way, one large party,
desirous of seeing and stand-
ing on the Bliss place, and
finding it a feasible thing,
left the conveyances in the Emmettsburgroad opposite the main position of the
Fourteenth and crossed the fields one-fourth mile or so to the premises. There
was emotion not easily expressed when they stood on the veritable ground of the
thrilling adventure, by the marker on the barn site.* Mr. Bunce and other
steadfast old friends of the regiment who had heard much about it were as
interested as the " boys," and listened with rapt attention as comrade Broatch
detailed the movements of the charge and pointed out the places, all visible
to the listeners, and described the scenes in the barn and house, and as
Chaplain S. detailed additional features of the affair and gave description of
Capt. Postle's ride and the story of the rebel batteryman. Sergt. Hyde
*The Regtl. Soc. owns, by purchase, one acre of the Bliss place ground including
sites of the barn and house. It gave permission to the 12th N. J. to erect a suitable
marker there.
Some Rocks at Devil's Den, south side.
42
Evening at Gettysburg.
added some of his own recollections of the affair as he saw it from the skir-
mish line. While at the wall near the large monument comrade Broatch
gave a graphic descrip-
tion of the charge
against that very po-
sition on the third of
July as seen by the
Fourteeeth men en-
gaged there. The
guide-lecturer stand-
ing by took mental
notes, for this talk
from one who was
there and saw it all and
was a participant in
the struggle and could
relate it so intelligently
went beyond anything
he could do.
That evening though,
the body of each was
weaiy no one's spirit
flagged, and to keep
still was impossible.
Enthusiasm of old
comrades, meeting at
such a place and time, after years of separation since they trod in com-
pany war's harshest path, could not be restricted to a few hours. Through
the thoughtfulness of comrade Coit and others a local band had been engaged
to play in front of the McClellan, to the delectation of some of the people,
even if Gilmore had dropped out of it and none of the "•Marine Band"
graduates were in it. A delegation of about eighty of the loSth N. Y. regi-
ment, of our old brigade, just in on a train, came up to fraternize with their
old associates, and speeches, renewing old friendship and recounting old
adventures, were in order.
The next morning, September i6, all were out in right good season, bright
and breezy and with appetites for adventure whetted by the former day's
trips, for their last touch of the field. Ten members of Co. F went out to
the monument with a photographer for a group picture, and later a very
large party of the excursionists grouped along the wall and by the monu-
ment tor a photograph. The spot seemed fascinating, and all were loth to
leave a place so memorable to us. Meade's headquarters house, the humble,
battle-scarred edifice, now restored to nearly its original appearance and
condition, was visited and a good view had of the slope in rear of our posi-
tion and of the Taneytown road, as shown in cut 4.
There had been a fear that with so large a party it would be diflicult to
Mouth of Devils Den, Gettysburg.
On the VVixg Again.
43
induce all to be prompt, ready
for starting on scheduled time,
but it was soon evident the
party was a live one and a
business one. Long before
the hour for startingaway din-
ners had been disposed of,
grips and wraps gathered and
in hand and most of the people
were aboard the cars ; so that
when the whistle sounded at
one o'clock the last signal not
one was absent, and the long,
well laden train moved out on
time. With a satisfied ex-
pression all said : " We have
seen Gettysburg ! "—and they
set their faces southward for
more delights of a kindred
sort; for Antietam, the true
objective point of the expedi-
tion, was just ahead. No
day could be fairer, no at-
mosphere sweeter, and the
feelings of the party were in
keeping. While gaily chat-
ting and taking in the beauties
of the new scenery the people
presently became aware that
they were "rising in the
world." Places appeared to
steadily drop lower in the
view and valleys to grow
deeper, and what had been
seen as hills a little before
were beneath them. Then
they discovered that they were
steadily being lifted up the
mountain. In winding ways
they went up and up, while
the views increased in ex-
tent, diversity, beauty and
grandeur. At times, as at
Horse Shoe Bend, were af-
forded loveliest vistas aci'oss
wide, luxuriant valleys, and
44
Pen-Mar — Sharpsburg.
at times distant glimpses of miles of "Wonderland" dotted with farm
dwellings and barns or clustered villages. The summit reached, Pen-
Mar station was announced, and the party, leaving the train, roamed over
the delectable grounds, enjoying the rare scenery their height and position
afforded.
This place is situated on the line of separation of the states Pennsylvania
and Maryland, the indicating board "Pen-Mar." having the " Pen " over
the Pennsylvania side and the " Mar" over the Maryland side. It is the
favorite resort of excursionists during the warm season from all points
within fifty or eighty miles. High Rock, Blue Mountain House, and Tip
Top Tower are objects of special attraction. Tourists receive this descrip-
tion of the locality — "A Wonderland of Nature's grandest Charms." If
any people can appreciate such a winsome spot it is a set of wide-awake
New Englanders, and our party fully enjoyed it. wandering in the groves of
stately trees and gazing off miles away where stretched northward the valley
of the Potomac, or westward the valley of the Shenadoah, or eastward the
valley of the Cumberland, all an extensive prospect of charming landscapes
seldom seen from one point. Not a little did the people enjoy devouring
the delicious peaches fresh from orchards near and purchased for what
seemed to them a song compared with prices at home. When the whistle
sounded the end of the forty minutes time allowance all were promptlv in
their places on the train and presently sliding down the mountain towards
Hagerstown. This old Maryland town, of considerable note in the war
time, they rushed through in hurried style; and then the talk was, " An-
tietam next!" and the vet's pulses began to throb. At 4.15 the train
pulled in at Antietam station, the " desired haven." This was located
one mile from the village Sharpsburg. "And how are we all to get
there.? " was the solicitous inquiry. Well, there is a good, broad mili-
tay road, one of Uncle Sam's best, running clear up to the town ;
and look ! foresight and painstaking have done their work, and here are in
waiting, like a cloud, vehicles of every description, from the simple carriage
for two or three to the omnibus for twenty and those ark-like, or " prairie
schooner" style, of farm wagons, with their ponderous old Maryland farm
horses, ready to haul any mass of humanity. Within a few minutes all of
our great crowd, for we had received reinforcements from other regiments,
were, amid lots of fun at the oddity of the thing, stowed away in these
vehicles and on the way to town. So thoroughly had the matter of billeting
the party been attended to, that when a few minutes after the great cavalcade
had driven into the village the parties in charge drove in scarcely any persons
were to be seen upon the streets ; they had fallen directly into their places
and both people and carriages had disappeared, the latter to their stables and
the former to "fix up" for supper, about ready at all the houses.
The problem had been, how could this little village, with no facilities for
public accommodation beyond two or three insignificant hotels, take care of
our hundreds, especially as other hundreds of other regiments were to be
provided for at the same time. Parties staying but a night or two could" bunk"
The Roulette Place.
45
in any way, but our part}-, composed so lare^ely of gentle ladies, were to be-
away from home ten days or more of jaunting and needed good care and
good resting places. The problem was solved by a Yankee device of going
months in advance to the place and spending days in canvassing for ac-
commodations among the best families of the town, and promising the
people, who had several times been grievously disappointed and imposed
upon and had suffered loss because of false representations as to parties,
that good persons should be sent them as guests and sure pay. This,
with correspondence kept up until the last day, secured us all we wanted
and the best to be found. All the places could not be equally good, and
>>^'^ji^ik*iJAki^^^d^uCdt^j^k^^^
The Roulette Place, from the East — Barp, House and ipring-House
we must arrange for people as couples and as friend-groups as fully as
possible, and gentlemen could put up with limitations we would not sub-
ject ladies to if avoidable ; but what would the few who had cramped
quarters for a hot season have said if indiscriminately the party had been ob-
liged to bunk upon church benches and feed at improvised public tables as
were many other excursionists.?
It seemed befitting that our headquarters should be located " in the field "■
during the campaign, so quarters had been secured for our Chairman and
Secretary and their wives at the Roulette house ; a spot having great attrac-
tion to us not only because of its relation to our first battle experience but as
46
A Memorable Camp-Fire.
Eclenic in its kind, and now presided over most graciously by ^Ir. B. F.
Roulette and his wife, worthy successors of the father and mother of the
former who dwelt there during the war. Here at early evening the colors
were set out by the Secretaiy and the Fourteenth was ready for action. By
arrangement there was to be a camp-fire, not a misnamed gathering in
enclosed artificial auditorium but a genuine soldiers' camp-fire in the open
air, on the battlefield itself, with piles of rails — the soldier's old-time darling
friend — and logs for fuel. So, when the darkness was coming on the pile of
rails was kindled on the ridge close to the Roidette lane and near '' Bloody
Lane." Hardly soon enough was this, we confess; to anticipate the eagerness
of the people, who had been supposed to be tired and likely to be late, already
collected in numbers, our party supplemented by hosts of people from the
town and vicinity. Soon ifter our huge pile began to glow grandly under
its increasing flame the
people gathered about
on the hill-side and the
effect upon them was
startling. To the old
vets it was a vivid and
pathetic reminder of
the camp-fires of long
ago amid the dreary
surroundings of war life
and shared with the
dear old comrades of
those days, so many of
whom had dropped out
on bloody fields or
perished in hospitals
or starved and rotted
in horrid prison pens.
To the ladies and civil-
ian visitors the scene was weird, novel and exciting — entrancing. It
was their first sight of what seemed a reproduction from real soldier
life. At proper time our president set the ball rolling by calling for
a song; and then after a pleasant speech setting forth the object of
the trip, the impressiveness of the place and the memories connected
with it, he called for camp-fire talks from others present. Each
speaker stepped out into the full light of the blazing pile, notwithstand-
ing risk of roasting, the scene having a striking effect upon the unaccustomed
observers. Comrade Lieut. Seward gave a talk thoroughl}- patriotic and
tender, as Miss McCarthy of the party wrote, " silent eloquence gaining the
mastery as he stood in the light of the fire, one coat sleeve hanging loosely down,
while with his single arm extended towards his comrades he noblv asserted
that willingly would he lose that one also rather than forego the pleasure of
helping to make ' one and inseparable ' our glorious Union." Col. Moore,
22. Blatchli'y.
Roulette Lane, near Camp-Fire, looking north, toward barn.
Words that Tell.
4:
the man of fighting and deeds rather than public utterances, responded in his
customary way of utterly quiet eloquence. Secretary Knowlton gave a few
characteristic words of kindly appreciation of efforts of comrades. The
Chaplain gave reminiscences of the regiment's movements and experiences
twenty-nine years ago that da}' and night, and of the dreadful battle-day and the
two or three days following, on this ground or near. Comrade Lieut. Lyman
spoke sensible words as to our nation's momentous interests and the effects
of the war. Comrade Fletcher, coming from far Kansas for the purpose of
participating in the excursion privileges, gave rousing and grand words of
purest loyalty and comradeship, with man}' entertaining illustrations. Con-
gressman Russell made
pleasant talk in humor-
ous strain, and then
most appreciative ex-
pressions of the work
imd sacrifices of the
soldiers for the Union.
Comrade Capt. Davis
began one of his al-
ways delightful and elo-
q u e n t talks but suc-
cumbed to indisposition
and ceased ; and State
Senator Coffin, one of
the truest of the loyal,
a strong and constant
friend of the soldier in
war time and since,
responded to his call
in a hearty, feeling
eulogy of the men who
saved the country and
of their deeds.
It was hard to stop
and thus break the spell
of the rare and witching
scene, but tired nature and a prospective morrow full of ardent doing of the battle-
field demanded that the people should seek repose. So, with " Tenting to-
night" still lingering in the air where our fervent lips had given it, reluc-
tantly weleftthe spot. Of the whole affair Miss McCarthy wrote : "And as
the ffames shot towards heaven and you heard ' Tenting to-night' slowly, sol-
emnly sung by those same voices that twenty-nine yearsago had every reason
to weep over 'Wishing for the War to cease' emotion thrilled your whole
body. There was the moon (I doubt if ever. night was more beautiful), the
calm, beautiful fields, overcapped by the surrounding hills ; the woods
through which the troops emerged on their march, and those voices swelling
"Bloody Lane" after the war, looking N. W. — Turn of Roulette Lane
in middle ground — Dunker Church Woods In background — 14th
0. V. Cornfield at right of house.
48
A Bit of History.
in one grand chorus, until
the grandeur of the scene
was indesci'ibable. Another
such camp-fire; another
such moonHght will doubt-
less never be seen by the
same parties.''
As our people, all in their
novel surroundings, sleep
the sleep of the just and
weary let us talk a little of
the
REGIMENT AND THE BAT-
TLE OF ANTIETAM.
The Fourteenth left Hart-
ford for New York August
25, 1S62, one thousand and
fifteen strong, under com-
mand of Colonel Dwight
Morris. Six companies were
borne by the steamer " City
of Hartford" and four com-
panies by a propeller. The
next day the men were
transported bv the steamer
"Kill-Von-Kull" to Eliza-
bethport, N. J., whence they
were borne by a train of
thirty cars, in two sections,
to Harrisburg and thence to
Baltimore. By another
train they were taken to
Washington, reaching there
on the morning of the 3Sth,
In a few hours they crossed
the Potomac on the famous
Long Bridge and trod for
the first time the "sacred
soil." This they tasted as
well as trod, for it was
dreadfully dust}'. That
night they I'ested on the
heights of Arlington, fondly
expecting a long stay in the
Our First Shelling. 49
Elysian Fields of a " camp of instruction." Vain delusion ! Before
light on the 39th tlie long- roll suddenly called them up, they re-
ceived their arms, made their coffee, and shortly were tramping toward
Fort Ethan Allen, Va., then threatened, near the "Chain Bridge,"
a few miles above Washington. Sunday, September 7th, the march
was taken up with the Army of the Potomac in pursuit of Lee. The
regiment was assigned with two other new regiments, the loSth N. Y.
and 130th Fenn. A/^olunteers, to form the Second Brigade of the Third Divis-
ion, Second Army Corps. Daily marching brought us to Frederick, Md.
by the 13th, and on Sunday " over the hills of Maryland" the march was
pursued, the regiment bivouacking that night on the battlefield of South
Mountain, where the dead, the first seen by us of those slain in war, were
lying about. On the 15th we crossed the mountain by Turner's Gap, pro-
ceeded to Boonesboro, turned sharply to the left towards Sharpsburg, close
in the wake of the enem}-, and, passing through the village of Keedysville
just at dark and proceeding about one mile beyond, turned into a field at the
left of the road, not far from McClellan's headquarters at the Pry house, there
bivouacking on the front line of the army. The next day was spent on that
ground, where at one time the regiment was treated to its first shelling from
hostile guns — treatment very unwelcome, as every third gun discharged sent
a Whitworth bolt over the hill in our front striking somewhere in our vicinity,
generally wounding some one. We saw one of these bolts take oft' the foot of
a man across the road from us — and the most pertinent reflection about the
scene was, the man struck was out of his place.
Glad we all were when French's battery, that had been sent flying up the
road rvmning diagonally past our front, silenced those " dogs of war." All
that day it could be seen that things were being "fixed up" for a fight —
leaders "cutting out work" for us — and some heavy firing just at evening
by Hooker's men far up at the right settled the conviction. Soon after two
o'clock on the morning of Wednesday the 17th the regiment was astir and
receiving ammunition and at daylight in line. Soon afterward we crossed
the road and moved, with frequent halts, around the high hill in the rear of
McClellan's headquarters, about midway of the slope, making our way
toward some ford of the Antietam. About 8 o'clock the ford was reached
and crossed. The water was pretty deep, the banks were steep and slippery.
The fording was not an agreeable recreation but we knew worse things
were ahead.
We were marching that day with the Third Brigade (Max Weber's) of our
division in front, our brigade, under command of our own Colonel Morris,
next, and the First Brigade (Genl. Kimball's) in rear. From the ford the
course was towards and then up the slope flanking the East Woods. *
These woods were reached and entered about one mile from the ford and
the line was at once faced to the left and advanced. Order was straightway
given to form line of battle. Huge shells crashing through the tree-tops
and branches and dropping and bursting about had made the men nervous,
* See towards right of background of cut 33.
50
Fording the Antietam.
and this order made them realize that the hour they had thought of and
talked of, the hour of battle, of mortal combat, was at hand. No previous
moment of life had been, to most, as serious as this. There would surely
be wounding and pain and death ; and upon whom of all would these come,
men were reflecting. Stern duty granted no time for meditation, for the line,
the deadly battle-line, was forming. General French, the division com-
mander, seeing some halting and confusion in the brigade shouted : " For
God's sake, men, close up and go forward ! " The Fourteenth, Lieut. Col.
Perkins commanding, was formed on the right of the brigade, the 130th
/( ^^m:^
where the Fourteenth forded the Antietam September 17, 1862.
Penn. next and the loSth N. Y. at left. Max Weber's brigade formed in
our front and passed over the fence first, the ist Del. on the right, and the
4th N. Y. and 5th Md. regiments at left of it. Kimball's brigade formed
at left of our brigade and advanced later. The line well formed, the order
" forward !" was given. Here the writer dismounted, sent his horse back,
fell in behind Co. B and followed — and that is how he knows the things
whereof he writes. His watch at that moment marked nearly 9 o'clock.
Out of the woods and over the fence we went and on, one magnificent battle-
line, with colors that should never again be so bright and companies that
should never again be whole. Of course batteries opened on us at once,
Advancing — The Cornfield.
51
but, as usual with shelling under such
circumstances, they affected the line but
little. Before us was a gentle slope ter-
minating after about one fourth mile in
a swale between the houses of Mr.
Mumma and Ml". William Roulette.
Half way down the slope the right of
the regiment passed through a corner of
Mr. Mumma's orchard, and, grave as
the moment was, men of Co. A plucked
the fruit and ate. A little farther on
that same right passed within a few rods
of the blazing barn and house of Mr.
Mumma, feeling the scorching heat. A
little farther, and the "wee" brook
coursing through the swale was reached
and the line was turned a trifle to the
right to advance into the cornfield,
whose fence was one hundred paces be-
yond. Just then the left of Co. B
struck the Roulette house and was de-
tained a little to attend to some belliger-
ent sharp-shooters sheltered there. *
Then the line swept on over the fence
into the cornfield, the regiment ex-
tending across its entire breadth. This
field belonged to Mr. Mumma and
had upon it a vigorous growth of nearly
mature, tall corn with hills high heaped.
By the writer's pacing this field is
about three hundred and fifty yards
from rear to front. While passing
through this our men were nearly hidden
and but little effect of the enemy's firing
was felt until we were past the middle.
Max Weber's brigade reached the
farther fence some yards in advance
* Mr. Roulette had removed his family
to a safe place in season, but returning him-
self to look after his stock he was held in
limbo by the rebs. When firing began he
went into the cellar for safety, but when our
boys cleaned out the Johnnies he quickly ran
out, shouting excitedly: " Give it to 'em!"
"Drive 'em!" — "Take anything on my
place, onlj' drive 'em ! drive 'em!" Then he
started for the rear, for he wasn't singing
just then " there's no place like home."
52
In the Fight.
§1
of US and at once drew a strong fire from
the enemy, which our line received a good
share of from overshooting. The First
Delaware men, to whom this was their
first battle, stood their ground bravely, but
other troops of that brigade did not do so
well, as official reports confirm. Not only
their wounded fell back through our lines
to be cared for by us but the frightened
" skeedaddlers" also in large numbers.
When the Fourteenth reached the fence it
received a smashing fire full in the face.
This might have dashed our men's courage,
but it had been screwed up to the staying
pitch and they did not waver. Over the
fence they vs^ent upon the clear sward field
one rod, two rods, every inch of which a
withering storm of bullets was smiting them.
Col. Morris, Lieut. Col. Perkins* and Adjt.
Ellis rode forth and back most bravely in
front of the line urging the men forward ;
but at last, finding it impossible to advance
farther, the order was given to fall back to
the fence and "load and fire at will."
This order they obeyed, but no farther
back did they go until directed to. Stopping
by the rails or dropping back a yard or two
among the high corn hills, each man loaded
his piece and then fired at whatever seemed
a proper target. While it was very easy to
feel the enemy it was very difficult to see
him — and we will tell why. A lane, called
the "Sunken Road," one outlet of the
Mumma, Roulette, and Piper farms, leaves
the Hagerstown pike about one mile above
Sharspsburg, runs towards the position of
the Fourteenth about one-third mile, then
turns to right a little, descending a slight
hill, then turns again a little and runs on
*Mai. Clark's nervous horse acted so foolishly
that he could not urge him over the fence, and
we have a vivid recollection of him among the
corn hills holding the refractory beast, grinding
his teeth and muttering hot expletives, until
Corpl. Ed. Smith of Co. E, limping along with
a serious bullet wound in the calf, led it awav.
A Hidden Foe — Bloody Lane.
53
nearly southeast about one-fourth mile when it
turns again. It pursues this crooked way until,
-after making six angles and seven different
lines of direction, all amounting to about one
right angle, it connects with the Boonesboro
pike west of Sharpsburg, fully one mile and
a. half from the start point. This road is
depressed for over one-half mile of its course,
and the part from the little hill mentioned for
about one-fourth mile is called ''• Bloody Lane."
The Roulette farm lane connects with it a few
rods from the foot of the little hill. This sunk-
en part of the road men of Hill's corps had
taken possession of upon retiring before our
advancing division. From the left of Co. B in
direct line forward to the first bend of the
sunken road at top of the little hill, a little to
the right of the house seen in cuts 28 and 30,*
is one hundred and seventy-five paces. In this
deep cut, at this near point and far up the road,
the rebels were ensconced, completely con-
cealed, in full lines, all busily plying their
muskets ; and on the rising ground in the field
back of this position was another line so lo-
cated as to fire over their heads. All these
had a direct fire upon our left and a raking
fire upon the rest of our line. And this was
not all. Mr. Mumma's farm outlet to Sharps-
bui^g then was a lane running along the right of
our cornfield and skirting the field in our front
in a circuitous course, joining the sunken road
a few rods from the Hagerstown pike. From
this lane directly in front of our centre to our
line was about three hundred and fifty yards.
This lanef had its quota of lurking infantry,
and the line was extended northward behind
barricades and outcropping ledges. Do our
men now wonder where the heavy, deadly fire
•came from or why no enemy was visible, only
■occasionally a rusty hat.^
* This house did not exist at the time of the battle.
tThis lane from the point where the right of Co. A
rested to the Mumraa house stil 1 exists, but all that part
skirting the field in front of our position has been ob-
literated, the fence on our side being removed and the
ground plowed. The remaining boards of the other
fence have numerous bullet holes. W/io made tliemi'
M
Hard at Work.
30.
Left of 14th C. V. in Cornfield— T rees as at time of Battle.
Nothing daunted the Fourteenth men settled down to work as though ex-
pecting to stay, firing in the direction of the puffs of smoke or at an^'thing
indicating the presence of a reb. And some of them really seemed to enjoy
it. We recall one sergeant as repeatedly gravely engaged in loading his gun,
and then, rising and taking aim, firing; and each time there would come
upon his face such a rapt expression of utter satisfaction as seemed almost
seraphic. Of course many were entirely unused to handling firearms, and
there were more *' shots at a venture " that day in the regiment than it ever
knew again, but each man did his best and bravest.
But good men were falling all the time under the incessant fusillade of the
invisible foe. As they were wounded they, if unable to w^alk, were borne
back to the Roulette house ; if able to walk they could go farther back to our
division hospital on the Smith farm, near our fording place. For about two
hours this was continued. Sharp sense of danger was, after a time, dulled,
and there was a bit of fascination in hearing the buzzing bullets passing by, or
in seeing them clip a cornstalk or its leaves or strike up little pufts of dust at
our feet as a running mouse would. Some of the time batteries were ex-
changing compliments over our heads, and occasionally one of these " com-
pliments " would drop in our field, hoisting the earth, or, bursting in the air,
would drop gentle showers of scrap-iron upon us. At one time the conduct
of the Fifth Maryland affected us hurtfully. Col. Perkins says in his report
that their breaking " threw three companies of my right wing into confusion.
* * * during this time my right and centre were broken twice but rallied
on the colors and formed in good order." From the right of the regiment,
where the ground was considerably elevated, our men could see the hill *
eastward overlooking the eastern section of "Bloody Lane," and they there
witnessed the splendid fighting of some of the old regiments of Kimball's
brigade, the 14th Indiana particularly, and later those of the " Irish Brigade"
coming up in support. As they saw at one time the old veteran color-bearer
crawling along the ground, his comrades moving after him in like fashion,
thrusting forward his flag-staft^ and fixing it in the earth and then pulling
* Where our excursion camp-fire was.
" Old Glory.
55.
himself up to it, the bullets flying thickly
around, or at another time the full color-
guard rallying around the banner as the}',
leading their line, charged upon the
enemy, the whole line contending and
gaining inch by inch until they beat
the foe in their front, our men learned
what veritable lighting was — and thev
never forgot the lesson. The spectacle
was thrilling and inspiring, as Col. Per-
kins often remarked, and never until
then had our beautiful national banner,
" Old Glory," assumed its proper place
in our understandings and hearts. Its
bright folds, enwreathed for moments in
battle smoke and at other moments re-
flecting the sun's glowing rays from its
spotless red, white and blue floating
over brave Union men risking life for
it, advancing steadily against the banner
of treason and disunion made a picture
ineftaceable from our memories and fixed
the precious emblem in our souls forever.
Some of our men at the right, as
Sergts. B. Hirst of Co. D and W. H.
Hawley and W. B. Hincks of Co. A,
went forv/ard from our line a little into
the field with some of the First Dela-
ware men, nearly to the large tree seen
at right in cut 29, where they had a better
view of the enemy's position and a better
place for efliective firing. When Sergt.
H. saw indications that the enemy was
preparing to charge he retiu'ned to his
company. About this time, as the
writer was approaching Co. B Capt.
Gibbons inquired where the colors were.
Upon being told that they were in their
proper place in the line a moment be-
fore, he replied that he could not see
them. A hasty run back to the centre
developed the fact that the colors had
been suppressed that they might not at-
tract the attention of the enemy so much.
Never again would the Fourteenth prac-
tice that kind of Yankee prudence as
— CO
<II _
Q-o
S3
3§
(/) a.
5 O
3U
a> a.
o o
C ID
»6
Retiring from the Cornfield.
applied to matters of civil life, well knowing that for war it would not do,
for men must see their colors to be assured that their line is intact and
position not changed.
Just how or when the regiment was ordered to retire from this position
cannot, perhaps, be known, for the companies seem not to have retired
together ; but the writer knows this, that when the hour of noon was near
he saw Col. Morris with the colors and a portion of the regiment in a slight
hollow which ran transversely of the field and the colonel asked him if he
could inform him where Cos. B and G were. He replied that a moment
before he had seen them at their places at the fence. "Please return to them
and request them to rally on the colors here," said the colonel. The order
was, delivered, and soon all the companies were together and retiring to the
rear of the Roulette house and into the yard between the house and barn.
Roulette House after battle September 1862— Aest side, from swale.
Here were already fragments of other regiments and Genl. French and his
staff'. When the enemy perceived that our men had withdrawn they at once
determined to charge over the field vacated, and they charged clear down
through the cornfield and into the swale. Our two men of Co. A, referred
to above, who had ultimately betaken themselves to the Mumma lane for
better use of their rifles, were so absorbed in their business that they did not
observe the oncoming of the rebel charging line until it was but a few rods
away — then there was a sprinting match rarely surpassed. Our boys could
run faster than the pursuing force yet not so fast as the cyclone of bullets sent
after them by that force ; but the good, brave fellows got away unharmed
and afterwards rejoined tiieir company. That the rebels reached the swale
the writer can attest, for he had in care several wounded men. protected
within the little basement room at rear of the Roulette house, and it look.ed
With Kimball. 57
as though all must be captured. Sergt. Tibbitts of Co. H, both bleeding
arms crossed upon his breast, sat upon a barrel placidly smiling ; but one,
man was so wrought up that he cried bitterly, exclaiming: '•'• My God, I'd
rather have been killed than to be taken prisoner bv the rebels ! " As we
stood outside, a few feet from the door, to surrender our helpless charge if it
could be done before the Johnnies shot, the foremost men in butternut came
within about two rods of us, when the operations of a battery brought to bear
upon the cornfield and of some infantry throwing a flanking fire into the
field started those Johnnies on a retrograde movement of the most lively sort.
When our division made its advance and took its first position on the field
there w^as a gap of more than one furlong between its right and the left of
where Sedgwick's division went in earlier, and this gap might have been fatal
to us. It was later filled by Smith's division of the Sixth Corps, the left of
Brooks' brigade of that division occupying our old position in the corn-
field.
Soon after the retirement of the Fourteenth to the Roulette house an oi^der
came assigning it to the support of Genl. Kimball, some of whose regiments
had been obliged to retire to replenish ammunition. It was advanced to the
right, beyond the barn, to a position by a wall by the Roulette lane ; which
" wall " Col. Morris reports he " was ordered to take and hold," adding :
" This I did with the Fourteenth Connecticut alone."*
The tide of battle was moving beyond Kimball, Richardson's division
coming in for a heavy pull. This division had crossed the Antietam an hour
later than the Fourteenth, and by the same ford, and had at once moved
■down the stream, its course for a distance restrained on the left by the stream
and the rough ground along it. When the bend at Neikirk's was passed it
could extend to the left, and all the brigades advanced up the slope at rear
and left of Kimball, the "Irish Brigade" (Meagher's) on the right. Soon
the latter brigade was heavily engaged (partly in support of Kimball), then
Caldwell, then Brooke. The regiments on the extreme left, Brooke's men,
advanced towards the Piper house, fighting hard and successfully, and others
that had advanced beyond the line of the crooked lane faced to the right and
charged upon the enemy in the cornfield and orchard between Piper's and
our line, driving them and flanking the " Bloody Lane "| portion of the
road, completing thus the capture or destruction of all its remaining occu-
pants. This advance movement of Brooke on the far left made it necessary
that his brigade should have support, so Kimball was directed to send him
aid. As he, naturally, preferred to keep his own men, now flush with am-
* When our brigade was separated Col. M. invariably staid with his own boys of the
Fourteenth.
t The rebels fell back to this natural intrenchment (a veritable trap it proved) to op-
pose the advancing movement of our forces coming over the hill. They had been
steadilj' shot down by our determined men who had gained the brow of the hill and
had a plunging fire upon them, and it was a hazardous thing for any of them to leave
this road-bed and try to escape when wounded or otherwise. When the flanking
movement from the left took them in reverse they were caught.
58
A Direful Shell.
33.
Foreground hill east of Roulette barn over which 14th C. V moved going to extreme
left.— E. woods where 14th C. V. first formed in background towards right.— Roulette
and Mumma buildings from the east.— Cut adjoins right of cut 31.
munition, he detached his temporary reinforcements, the 14th Conn, and
loSth N. Y., and sent them, under command of Col. Morris, to Brooke.
This made necessarj^ a movement of about one-half mile to the extreme left
of our corps, some of the way along an exposed hill. Soon after the column
started and while ascending the hill (foreground in cut 33) the regiment was
subjected to a most trying ordeal. A shell from the enemy cutting diago-
34.
Where Richardson fell.— The 14th C. V's farthest move to left, beyond the fence.
nally across Co. D burst in the middle of that company, killing outright
Henry Tiley, W. P. Ramsdell, and R. Griswold, taking an arm from Jos-
eph Stafford and from L. Griswold and wounding two others. Though this
slaughter was sudden and terrible there was no panic — the company closed
With Brooke — Richardson Wounded.
59
lip like veterans and the regiment moved on. The movement was continued
beyond Richardson's regular line to a point from ten to twenty rods beyond
the fence visible beyond the hay-stack seen in cut 34. Soon it retired, by
order, to the field in which the hay-stack appears and halted in a hollow at
a point shown in cut 35, the left of the regiment being about where the large
tree appears in the foreground. Here, though not within musket range of
the enemy they were within shelling range, and some were struck. One
ricocheting shell passed through the ground under H. H. Fox of Co. B,who
was lying, face down, at full length. It took the breath from his body for
a time and put him out of the fight for some hours. W. H. Norton of Co.
A was cut nearly in two by a shell. An accident here robbed us of one of
our best men, a man exceptionally well qualified for a vokmteer soldier on
account of his physical training, his intelligence, character, and patriotism,
Robert Hubbard of Co. B. He was fatally shot through the careless hand-
ling of a rifle by a member of his own company. Another similar fatal acci-
dent happened to another promising soldier, Thaddeus Lewis of Co. A.
These were not the only instances of such carelessness in the regiment though
the only ones resulting seriously. The men were not yet habituated to the
continuous handling of loaded guns.
A battery was stationed at the top of the hill, beyond the two large trees
on the ledge seen in cuts 34 and 35, whose action it was that attracted the
Position at left when waiting in support of Brooke.
shelling our way. While Genl. Richardson was superintending the working
of this battery he was struck, receiving a mortal wound. A detail of men
of the Fourteenth helped carry him oft' the field. After lying in this position
more than an hour the regiment was moved to the top of the hill and farther
up the ridge. This was by order of Genl. Hancock, who had, upon the fall
of Genl. Richardson, been directed to come from his own brigade in the
Sixth Corps and assume command of Richardson's division. In his oflicial
60
The Plowed Field.
report Genl. Hancock says : " Finding a considerable interval at a dangerous
point between Meagher's brigade and Caldwell's brigade the Fourteenth Con-
necticut was placed there and the detachment from the loSth N. Y. Vols, on
the extreme left." So our brigade was wholly dispersed, the 130th Penn,
being still with Kimball. As soon as the regiment reached the summit of
the ridge the one in command attempted to make a perfect alignment, dress-
parade style. This made a royal " pot-shot" for rebel artillerymen in sight
and they promptly tried it. Very soon a stafi^ officer came dashing up and
ordered the body, using a carefully selected vocabulary of words, to get
down out of sight as quickly as possible. This was done ; but the enemy,
having the range, kept up the shelling, greatly to the misery of our men.
There was only this to seriously disturb their peace as there was but little
infantry firing at the right of the army after two o'clock. The heavy boommg
of the artillery and the crash of musketry volleys in Burnside's attack far at
the left, below Sharpsburg, were heard, and there was a constant expectation
of being called to action at some point. They longed for the night to come
that the shelling might cease, and at last it came. The spot where they lay
The " Plowed Field '' on Roulette Farm, Antietam. Tree tops over the
hill show course of Bloody Lane.
will ever be remembered as the " plowed ground." The ground, recently
plowed, had a deep layer of thoroughly dry, powdery earth. The men
looked bad enough after rolling and burrowing in this, but after a rain came
in the night — well, they looked like, " like everything ! " All the night
through and the following day and night they heard the dreadful gioans and
cries of the wounded and dying wretches in the Bloody Lane just over the
hill calling for water, or help, or to have others taken oft' who, dead,
were lying across or upon their tortured and helpless bodies, or for death to
release them from their anguish ; but they were powerless to render the
assistance their hearts longed to give.
The Casualties.
61
At the Roulette house saddest sights were enacting. All day men who-
could not be carried further to the rear for want of ambulances were brought
there and laid upon the grass or within the house, spring-house or barn. Men
of both armies were there, and one could relate many pathetic scenes, ineftace-
Roulette House 1891— West Side, from swale
able from memory, that occurred were there space here. Many died during
the day and night and the others were cared for as well as circumstances
permitted. Most of the division surgeons were back at the division hospital,
but those who remained at this point were busy with whatever facilities they
had for operating, our own Surgeons Rockwell and Dudley being present
and constantly active. All of us were kept busy nearly the night through
and renewed the work with the break of day.
Our losses were heavy. Of killed and mortally wounded there were thirty-
eight, of wounded eighty-eight, and reported as missing twenty-one. Some
were hit who did not leave the ranks and consequently were not reported
wounded. Some of the " missing " were never heard from afterwards. Of
the officers Capt. Blinn of Co. F and Capt. Willard of Co. G were shot
dead at the heads of their respective commands. Lieut. Crosby of Co. K
received a mortal wound and Lieut. Coit of the same company received
severe wounds of both thighs that disabled him for several months. Lieut.
Sherman received a serious contused wound of the side and color-bearer
Thomas Mills was liiortally wounded. Brave Sergt. Eno of Co. F was
killed outright. Our flags were rent and gashed and one staff' was badly
shattered, the top being shot away. The horses of Col. Perkins and Adjt.
Ellis were shot under them, the adjutant's being killed.
Q2 -^^ Opportunity Lost.
In the early morning of the iSth ambulances were brought up to the
Roulette barn by way of the lane from the Smith farm to hurry away our
remaining badly wounded, in anticipation of a renewal of the engagement.
The enemy's sharp-shooters were well at work and that some of them had
long-range pieces was evident, for as the writer was hurrying to the barn by
the terrace walk along the garden fence to press 'into our service more
ambulances the little rifle-sent singers in the air came so close that stooping
was necessary to avoid hurt. While he was relating his experience to Dr.
Rockwell, who was upon the lawn in front of the house resting from his
wearying labors, the doctor suddenly sprang from his chair, as a little leaden-
winged bee buzzed past his ear, exclaiming: "Well, they're after me,
too ! "
All that day our men lay in most uncomfortable position and exposed to a
scorching sun on the plowed ground. At early light the rebel sharp-shooters
began firing at every visible living or moving object. Some of them occu-
pied a conspicuous orchard on high ground on the Piper farm in our front,
firing from the trees and from behind the fence palings. We had a line of
skirmishers upon the crest to look out for them. Some of these, notably
those of th§ flank companies armed with Sharp's rifles, ensconced behind
perfumed barricades of defunct horses having, as Dr. Jewett used to say, a
" loud smell," did effective work, tumbling many a Johnny out of the trees.
There was no engagement anywhere on the line of the army that day and it
became apparent to the dullest mind that Lee must be withdrawing his
troops behind this lively mask of sharp-shooters. Also, the heavy and
unintermitting rumbling of wheels during the night strengthened the
impression of the soldiers that the enemy was retreating. O that a Grant or
a Sheridan, or even such an one as our own Hancock, had been in command
of our army ; someone awake and not fettered by old-time notions about
regular military order nor filled with awe-inspiring visions of vast hordes of
the enemy never existing ! Then would all the reserves and those troops but
half used yet in action have been put upon the track of the enemy — to
destroy or capture, beyond a doubt.
That night our Commissary Sergt. J. W. Knowlton, having braved mili-
tary regulations in order to promote the comfort of his comrades, brought a
wagon-load of supplies within reach. For this he was highly complimented
bv officials, with distinct and strong hints of honors that should follow. But
the " honors," promotion, like many another *•' baseless fabric of a dream "
in soldier life, failed to materialize, being turned aside to others before reach-
ing our worthy comrade.
On the morning of the 19th it was a transparent fact that there was no
enemy in our front. Still the Fourteenth boys were kept on the plowed
field. At last this becoming intolerable, Col. Morris, at nearly 10 o'clock,
instructed the writer to go to Gen. French and state to him that the regi-
ment had been lying in that unfavorable and trying place forty-two hours
and request that it might be relieved. The "Aid" finding the general about
one-half mile away comfortably located told his errand. Bluftiy, with both
After the Battle.
63
eyes blinking at the double-quick, the general said : " Says they've been on
that line forty-two hours, eh?" " Yes sir." "• Tell him all the more honor
to the regiment then ! " It is a question whether Genl. F. had the power to
relieve the I'egiment at that time as it was still attached to Hancock's com-
mand. When the "Aid" was returning to report his reception he met
Genl. Hancock, with his staff', descending the hill, and on reaching the reg-
iment learned that he had just relieved it and ordered its return to its own
division. It was then directed to bivouac in the East Woods, about one-
third mile from, and in front of, the Dunker Church. Here the men rested
until the following Monday morning. They visited freely the battlefield,
where they had been en-
gaged and elsewhere,
and viewed the sad ' .
havoc of war — the hun-
dreds of the slain about
the fields ; the heaped-
up dead in Bloody
Lane ; the debris of the
wrecked batteries ; the
ruins of the Mum ma
buildings and the shat-
tered walls and roof of
the Dunker C h u r c h .
On Sunday, the 3ist,
we had, in the grove .
with flag-draped drums
for our pulpit and our
own delightful band
for our sweet " church-
going bell" and orches-
tra, our first Sabbath
service in the field —
a service unusually touching, coming so close upon our recent experiences.
These things, with abundant hospital work and burying our dead, fully occu-
pied our time until Monday morning the 33d, when we broke camp, marched
to the Hagerstown pike at the Dunker Church, then down to Sharpsburgand
through it on our way to Harpers Ferry, most of the men never to see
this land again until this day.
Well, our tale has worn the night away, and now for
Dunker Church and West Woods after the Battle
THE REUNION AND THE ANTIETAM FIELD.
The magic word Antietam, more magical than any other name to most of
our original men, has been holding sway in the minds of the "boys " and
they are astir early and up at the Roulette house, scanning eagerly every
point and place of interest they can recognize. Presently carriages bring
64
The Reunion of Reunions.
bevies of the ladies and gentlemen of the party, and at 9.30 o'clock occurs
the most remarkable reunion of the survivors of the regiment ever held— a
realization of our long-cherished desire. No one can describe the emotions
of the men composing that band who, recalling vividly a morning just
twenty-nine years agone, a perfect counterpart as to weather of this glad,
bright morning, gathered in front of the Roulette mansion. Ladies and
friends, apparently as inter-
ested as the survivors them-
selves— for had not some of
them suffered when we suf-
fered in that long-ago time ? —
gathered upon the house stoop
and about the lawn, adding
the charm of their presence.
How the business of the
regimental society was at-
tended to; how comrades
out of full hearts spoke ; how
we sang, led by the magnifi-
cent tenor of our owai Lilli-
bridge, have they not all been
told in our society's printed
report, the story accompanied
by the mellifluous descriptive
cadences of our incomparable
secretary, and sent to each
comrade and excursionist.^
But the sentiments and feel-
ings of that hour no one can
portray. Each veteran
thought of that former day this meeting commemorated, when the roar and
panoply, the danger and havoc of battle were the things absorbing all atten-
tion here and this ground was moistened with the blood of comrades or of
themselves ; and the contrast of that v\'ith this peaceful, pastoral scene, this
paradisic spot with its accompaniments, filled hearts with tenderness and
gratefulness. There was deep reluctance to break up that memorable, never
to be repeated, meeting, when the word " adjourn " must needs be spoken.
At once there was a grouping in front, in the outer vard, for a photograph,
the men facing Tipton's camera with a little more complacency than they
once here looked into the muzzles of the Johnnies' guns. Then the people
betook themselves to examining the interesting premises. The quaint, solid
old farm-house that bore, this bower of domestic delight, the scars of battle
attracted all. Bullets pierced it on the day of battle, and one huge shell tore
through the west side, a little above the floor, and going through the parlor
in an upward course passed through the ceiling and a w^all bevond and fell
harmless amid a heap of rubbish it had created, where w^e saw it many times
Section of Bloody Lane after the Battle
A Paradise Restored.
65
that day. During the battle the rooms were stripped of their furnishings
and the floors
were covered
with the blood
and dirt and lit-
ter of afield hos-
pital ; yet when
the writer was
there two weeks
later, on a trip
to see our
wounded in the
hospital near
and to escort to
the field a party
of New Britain
citizens visiting
our reg i m e n t ,
he f o u n d it
cleansed, re-
painted and
refurnished, and Mrs. Roulette, a charming woman, presiding at a beautifully
and bountifully spread table, with her husband and all her bright little ones
Spring-House, Roulette Place
"Bloody Lane in" 1891 looking S E. from foot of hill.— Barricade at turn
to Roulette Lane.— " Plowed Field" over hill at left background.— Brooke at
middle and right background.— Piper's fields at right.
66
Going over the Field.
safely and cozily about her. All wanted to see the famous spring-house, with its
heavy walls that sheltered some of our badly wounded, where Lieut. Crosby
and others were operated on and where some of our prisoners were kept for
a time — also the rare spring, in its cavity, near. The great barn that once
had on its floors hundreds of hapless bodies, broken and torn by missiles-
aimed at the life of the nation, was explored with eager curiosity. Then
the various positions of the regiment were looked over, and the fields over
which it had moved from the East Woods to the cornfield and to the extreme
left, with Bloody Lane, were traversed. Later in the day parties made trips
to the old Dunker Church, plain but striking, that figures so prominently
in all histories of the battle, and to the East Woods ; also to all the
Dunker Church on Hagerstown Pike, Antietam, 1891 .—Remains of West Woods.
significant positions on the right, guides and friends explaining the features
of the field and the movements of the battle. Strange it seemed that a spirit
of cupidity should have prevailed over sentiment and led to the cutting
down of the West Woods (at the Dunker Church) and much of the East
Woods. Later still the left of the field was visited, the Burnside bridge
coming in for the largest share of attention. Upon sight of this sturdv
structure, built as though to last forever, the wonder was expressed, as It
had been a thousand times before, why the policy of " how not to do it"'
should have so long prevailed in our army ; why hours should have been
spent in a vain attempt to thrust a column of men across this bridge, with
track not wide enough for a " column of fours " to move properly, to be
subjected to a plunging fire from a large force safely covered in tiers of rifle-
pits lining the clift' beyond and of the batteries commanding the road, when
another and better way could have been found. It seemed a folly and a
reckless inconsiderateness of human life inscrutable. Yet. as we knew the
Where Heroes Fell — Where Heroes Rest.
67
story, it told for the unexampled bravery of our good Union boys warring
in a'matchless cause, that they would, when ordered, unflinchingly attempt
such hopeless tasks.
This place and its story
were all the more in-
teresting to our people
because the Sth, nth,
and 1 6th regiments of
our state were connected
with the desperate un-
de rtak ing here. The
National Cemetery, a
most sightly and charm-
ing spot, having at its
centre the massive gran-
ite soldier statue cut by
Batterson of H a r t f o r d
and exhibited at the
Centennial of our
nation's independence,
was much visited. Here
lie in peace, mid beauti-
ful surroundings, some
of our own men who
"• jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field," —
this field — that our country might have the prosperity enjoyed to-day.
Well wearied, and filled with thoughts of all the great things they
Burnside's Bridge, Antietam, in 1862
Where our boys lie at Antietam National Cemetery.
68
Good-bye to Sharpsbukg.
had seen and learned, many of the people spent the evening at their
boarding places resting for the morrow's jaunt. A large number gave
the evening to sociability and ice-ci^eam at a public festival. The refresh-
ments were particularly grateful just at this time, and glad we were that
the church ladies wanted the money enough to prepare this festival for
the visitors to their town. The loSth N. Y. and 130th Penn. regiments of
our old brigade had an indoors "camp-fire" at the Lutheran church and
some of our comrades attended it.
There was not much that was attractive to excursionists in the town itself,
the chief interest being in the fact that it was a part of the battlefield and
that Lee's army held the vil-
- - lage during all the time of
the battle. The people of
the place told many stories
of the disagreeable things
they were subjected to. so
many of them being staunchly
loyal. There is a wonderful
spring that pours out an un-
remitting stream, some inches
in diameter, of pure, cold,
sweet water right in the heart
of the village. It is of great
value to the town. From it
is formed a pond by the high-
way, where New. Davis says
he " for the first time in his
life saw cows wade into the
water to coax the ducks to
come and pick the flies oft'
them." The people of
Sharpsburg were pleased
with our party and generally
treated us handsomely. One lady subsequently wrote the one in charge of
the billeting thanking him for sending her " such nice, good, honorable
people." One avaricious old curmudgeon attempted to impose upon his
guests by charging extortionate rates. He will have no more patronage or
favor from the Fourteenth.
And now for
The Burnside Bridge in 1891,
Hammond.
HARPERS FERRY AND WASHINGTON.
On the morning of the iSth, promptly at 8 o'clock, our people took up their
journey anew and soon were on board their train bound southward, going at
first over the ground trodden by Lee's army in its retreat. All were so viva-
cious, so devoid of indications of weariness, that one would have supposed
Across the Potomac.
69
Harpers Ferry, W. Va.— Viewed from Maryland side.— Bolivar Heights in back-
ground at left.
them just starting on their trip. A run of four miles brought us to the Poto-
mac and crossing this we were in Shepherdstown, Va. This place, often
mentioned in war time, had
to ovu" New England eyes a
most dismal look of unthrift
and lack of care. Black-
ford' s fo r d , w h e r e L e e
crossed his army, is about
one mile below this town.
A run of a few miles
more, through a country not
specially attractive, and we
reached Shenandoah Junc-
tion, where the Baltimore
and Ohio track was touched,
and thence to Washington
we were on the rails of that
road Expectation was on
tip-toe to see the singular
town Harpers Ferry we
were approaching and the
oft-mentioned wild region
in its vicinity. Somewhat
after 11 o'clock the train
rushed into the place, the
excursionists observing
with admiration, as they
alighted, the towering bold
promontory of the Mary-
land Heights across the ■■ Street Scene, Harpers Ferry
70
Harpers Ferry and Bolivar.
Potomac at their left, the higher outjutting spur of the Loudoun Heights
just over the Shenandoah, and the town in front, with its scanty
allowance of space for streets at foot of the steep, rugged hill on which
most of it is built in the angle at the confluence of the two rivers
mentioned. Although the town has improved much in recent yeai's, espe-
cially in its upper portion, it was for a long time as during the war period,
most unattractive as to its buildings and its streets. Houses of the simplest
style and incommodious, constructed largely of bits of shale taken from the
hill itself, nestled un-
der the overhanging
clitis or against the
ledges at the roadside.
Along the river at
either side of the huge
hill is a contracted
street. That on the
right leads along the
Potomac where once
were the national gun
factories and arsenal,
destroyed soon after
the outbreak of the
rebellion. That on
the left leads along the
noisy Shenandoah,
passing under high
clifls. It is exceed-
ingly picturesque and
wild, the eflect height-
ened much by the
swiftly flowing cur-
rent and the Loudoun
range looming up be-
yond it high and grand,
its sides richly green
with its heavy, dark foliage. The principal street of the town runs
straight up, with a narrow, rough path, nearly one mile to the top
of the hill. Thence, after dipping into a slight ravine, it continues
through the village of Bolivar, on a plateau, nearly another mile
until the crowning ridge Bolivar Heights is reached. On this ridge,
about one-fourth mile from where the road passes over it onward to
Charlestown, the Fourteenth was encamped from September 33 to October
30, 1862, performing in the vicinity picket and fatigue duties. The comfort
of the stay was a minus quantity, and sickness prevailed grievously ; but the
sceneiy was always attractive, rarely excelled in beauty and grandeur.
Southward spread wide and fertile valley lands, parts of the Potomac and
Where the Fourteenth crossed the Shenandoah,
under Loudoun Heights, Oct. 30, 1862.
Rare Views.
71
Shenandoah valleys, dotted with thrifty farms, that at some hours of some
autumn days fairly seemed like paradise realms. Northward, over two miles
away, stood out, with stateh^ etlect, the Maryland Heights ridge, and but a
little distance, it seemed, from its jutting front was the bold projection of
the Loudoun termination ; while between these two flowed with foaming tide
over its boulder-filled bed the silvery Potomac, just below where it received
the waters of the Shenandoah. Arrangements had been made with the
proprietor of the Hotel Connor for dinners for over two hundred of our party.
The tables were
ready soon after the
train reached the
place and they were
kept filled thence on ^^
until nearly time for i0/0^
our departure. j0Fr *
Many, anxious to
take in all the at-
tractions of the place
possible, started
early on tours of in-
vestigation on foot
or in carriages.
Several went up to
the old camp ground
on the Heights, and
felt amply rewarded
— the vets, in the
reminiscent grati-
fication and others
by the glorious views
there furn i shed .
Some strayed among
the cozv, eerie nooks
along the Shenan-
doah road, or visited
Jefterson's Rock, a
natui'al wonder. All went to see John Brown's Fort, the little engine-
house of world-wide fame these many years. This little building, that
furnished the central setting of one of the most stirring pages of our nation's
history, has, since our excursion, been removed, improperly as we believe,
to Chicago as an " Exhibition " curiosity, never again to be seen on the spot
and amid the surroundings most befitting it. One pleasant episode of the
day was the meeting of our comrade A. F. Hall with the family of the
woman who took him in and fed and washed and clothed and nursed him,
so saving his life as he believes, when in woeful plight from sickness, ema-
ciation and down-heartedness in the fall of 1S62. Our grateful comrade
The "Jefferson's Rock," Harpers Ferry, W. Va.—
Shenandoah at left.
72
Happy in Song.
could not forget his benefactress, and in recent years he was put into com-
munication with her — whence came the renewal of friendship of a most
pleasant character ; and whence came, also, on this excursion day a banquet
of choice viands to our comrade and his friends at the home of this noble,
super-loyal, Good Samaritan Virginia woman and her family.
Promptly at the hour of two, the time scheduled for departure, all our
people were on hand at the station. There was some delay about bringing
up our " team," but none were excessively anxious to leave the romantic
spot; and, the sight
of the '^ Fort" sug-
gesting, presently
"• Glory, glory, halle-
lujah ! " was rolling
out from the lips of a
chorus three hundred
strong, capturing the
attention of all the na-
tives and awaking the
echoes of the surround-
ing heights. Other
songs followed, for the
people were aroused
and happy, and when
the train came backing
up all clambered
aboard. Then the cry
was
WASHINGTON AND
FREDERICKSBURG !
A rapid run, part
"John Brown's Fort," Harpers Ferry, soon after the war. of it along the Poto-
mac and some of it in
sight of the prominent Sugar Loaf mountain, so well remembered by
Fourteenth men in connection with Maryland campaigns, and in two hours
a sight of the noble dome of the national capitol greeted watching eyes.
About two hundred of the party were to go at once to Fredericksburg, Va.
By arrangement, resident Connecticut comrades and friends met the party at
the station to guide those to remain in the city to places of entertainment and
those going to Fredericksburg to the Pennsvlvania R.R. station, one-half
mile distant. The leader had jumped into a cab and preceded these latter to
announce their coming, and by the time the head of the cavalcade reached
the station the tickets had been stamped and were ready for selling ; and in a
short time all the party had been supplied and were on board a *■' special."
ready to start on the last prearranged advance Dortion of our great trip. To
On to Fredericksburg in '91. n-i
our own men there was decided satisfaction in the thought that they could
now go into the city of bloody memories and go about at their own sweet
will and stay as long as they should choose. In two hours the Rappa-
hannock was reached and crossed to Fredericksburg. The throng hastened
to the Exchange Hotel, kept by two Connecticut men, Messrs. Cotton and
Hills — the former a comrade of the 3ist Conn, regiment. This hotel, the
only one of any pretensions in the place, had accommodations for only about
one hundred people, and to stretch them to the needs of nearly twice that
number, includingtwenty-seven co^^^/e^reqniringtwenty-seven separate rooms,
was no simple task, particularly as our New England people do not take kindly
to the southern custom of placing several persons, even strangers, in the same
room. However, with some rooms taken outside at minor hotels and private
residences, and the general spirit of good nature and accommodation to
circumstances prevailing, the problem was solved to the convenience of
most.
The large dining room of the " Exchange " was 'a cheerful sight that
evening with its well supplied tables and the hungry contingents of our party.
Some whose eagerness could not be held in check went out for night glimpses
of well-remembered places of the war time. Then old Morpheus was
given sway, for jaunts of the next day were to be long ones — so while his cus-
tody of our people continues let us chat of the matter that makes this place
of vital interest to us,
THE FOURTEENTH AND THE BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG.
The Fourteenth left Harpers Ferry October 30, 1862, and coming down the
Loudoun valley to Warrenton and thence to Warrenton Junction, reached the
vicinity of Falmouth, Va., November 17. Atthistime nearly all of the Second
Corps was up, and had an attempt been made at that time to cross the Rappa-
hannock and take possession of the Fredericksburg heights it could have
been easily accomplished, as the enemy's force there was very slight. For
the failure to do this there has been explanation thatpontoons must be waited
for and arrangements made for " change of base," but we are strongly
impressed that a western army would have soon invented a plan to bridge
the river and that fearless soldiery would have had no apprehensions as to
keeping up communication with the source of supplies. As it was, weeks
were expended in this vain waiting, giving the enemy all desirable hints as
to the intentions of our leaders and all necessary time to occupy and fortify
every point of consequence and to arrange troops to greatest advantage.
November 18, our brigade, vs'ith the I33nd Penn. regiment added, all under
command of Col. Morris, was sent to Belle Plain on the Potomac, reaching
thei'e on the 19th. Pending the completion of the railroad from Aquia
Creek to Fredericksburg barges brought supplies to this place, whence they
were " wagoned " to the army. Here the Fourteenth remained, in disa-
greeable and most unhealthful camp, about two and one-half weeks, doing
duty as longshoremen in unloading barges of food for man and beast, and on
74
On to Fredericksburg in '62.
picket and guarding " secesh " property ; falling heirs to pneumonia, typhoid
fever and other serious and deadly ailments day by day, without chance to
drill or to do much true soldier work. December 6 the regiment rejoined the
corps, reaching Falmouth, after one of the most wretched of marches through
slush and mud, to spend a night of misery in the snow under the low droop-
ing pines whose wood would not burn nor the branches permit the pungent
smoke from the smudge to rise above the eyes of the men as they squatted
or lay upon the ground.
At 1 1.30 on the night of Dec. 10 came an order to be ready to move on the
following morning — then we knew the long expected battle was at hand. As
early as 5 A. M. of the iith the firing of heavy guns in the direction of
Fredericksburg, nearly
-. 1 ""'•'--- three miles below us,
was heard and by 5.30
the discharges of artil-
leiy and the roll of
musketry volleys were
almost continuovis. At
six o'clock, while,
amid this ominous
music. Col. Perkins
and his staff were
breakfasting by candle
light, with arms
buckled on for the
march and the fray, the
order came to move.
For the last time in
camp our doughty com-
mander's clarion tone
was heard: "Fall in.
Fourteenth ! " and in
five minutes, in the semi-darkness of the mid December morning, the
regiment started. Down past Couch's headquarters, backside of Falmouth
village and along the rear of the Rappahannock bluffs the line moved, the
artillery's booming and the rifle's talk sounding in our ears, to a position
nearly one-half mile in rear of the Lacy house, then Sumner's headquarters.
It was expected that the Second Corps would cross the river early in the day
and perhaps soon storm the heights. But, in this, as in many another matter
in war, the " scheme " did "• gang aglee ; " unnecessarily, we judge, con-
sidering the great resources of our army. The old McClellan tactics had not
yet run their course ; nor did they until Gettysburg saw a new light.
The plan was to throw pontoon bridges across the river at three points ;
one about two miles below the city for the Left Grand Division, under
Franklin ; a second near the railroad bridge (then destroyed) for the Centre
Grand Division, under Hooker, and a third a little above the Lac}' house
Lacy House, opposite Fredericksburg, in War time.
Laying the Pontoons.
75
for the RightGrand Division, underSumner.
The materials for these bridges were at the
water's edge at these points about 3 o'clock
on the morning of the nth Dec, and the
work of construction soon began. There
was a heavy fog upon the river and the im-
mediate shores at this time. Before noon
Franklin's bridge was completed, there be-
ing no opposition difficult to rout ; but when
the fog lifted a little soon after five and
revealed the two other bridges completed
to about midway of the stream an im-
mediate destructive fire from the well posted
sharp-shooters of Barksdale's brigade of
Mississippians, assigned the duty of picket-
ing the town, followed and drove the pon-
toniers from their work. Artillery was
brought to bear upon the lurking places of
the riflemen for a time and then the work
of placing the bridges was resumed. This
was very quickly checked again by the
pestiferous and deadly work of the oppo-
nents, for the fog would not stay down
long now. Several similar attempts were
made at laying the upper bridge with no
better success, the sharp-shooters being so
advantageously posted in buildings along
the river road and on Hawke street, and in
the pits and trenches specially prepared. A
little past noon all work on the pontoons
was suspended and a general play of our
artillery upon the sheltering places of the
sharp-shootei^s and the lower part of the
city ordered. For an hour or more the can-
nonading went on from one hundred guns
posted on the bluffs opposite the city and far
down the river, as well as above to Falmouth.
The writer stood, watch in hand, for one
hour or more upon the slope below the
Phillips house, Burnside's headquarters,
counting the discharges; and he found
them varying from forty-six to sixty per
minute. It seemed to us that the heavy
bombardment must dislodge all the sharp-
shooters and destroy the town ; but it did
neither the one nor the other. Compara-
5i?
3 5-
o <-►
76
The Riddle Solved — The First Over.
tively few houses were seriously damaged ; and as to the marksmen —
well, upon a cessation of our firing and an attempt made to continue
placing the bridge they came out of their holes like rats all ready
to bite again. Finally, a lucky, Yankee-like thought came to some
one and the bridge-laying-riddle was solved. Under cover of a heavy
artillery demonstration about 3 P. M. a detachment of the 7th Mich.
Vols, of Hall's brigade, Howard's division, under command of Col.
Baxter, seized pontoon boats, hurried them by hand to the water,
Where the Fourteenth crossed the Rappahannock Dec. 12, 1862.
the two prominent houses.
-Place of Pontoon at right, between
launched them, jumped into them, rowed swiftly over, leaped ashore, and
forming under the bank dashed up to the top and drove the sharp-shooters
near the road from their hiding places. As soon as the boats could'return.
the remainder of the regiment was taken over ; then the 19th jSIass.
regiment, then the 20th Mass., then the =59th N. Y. followed. By this time
the force was strong enough to drive Barksdale's rallying men up Hawke
street to Caroline, where there was hot and bloody fighting until a late hour.
As soon as the enemy had been driven from the river bank the bridge laving
was resumed again and soon completed. This was about sunset — 4-30
o'clock — and the rest of Howard's division was at once sent over.
How THE Fourteenth Crossed.
/ /
Just at dark the Fourteenth was ordered forward. It had advanced a short
distance over the plateau in rear of the Lacy house, some solid shot from the
enemy passing over our heads, when it was ordered back and lay all night
in bivouac near the army depot. That night was cold and dark. The fog
and powder smoke so obscured the air that a camp fire could be seen but
dimly a few feet away, giving rise to many disagreeable and annoying com-
plications. Surgeon Jewett and the writer rode back that evening to the
camp to see the sick and obtain supplies, and we learned that some of the
enemy's shells had that day fallen near the hospital tent.
At sunrise on the 12th w^e were ordered up, and by S o'clock we had de-
scended the ravine, deep and narrow, above the Lacy house, gone a few
yards up the shore and crossed to Fredericksburg, our pace quickened while
ci'ossing by iron feelers thrust out of guns on the ridge back of the city to find
the bridge.* Capt. Fiske ("Dunn Browne") who had been left sick at
Block, Fredericksburg, Va., where 14th C. V. lay, at right, Dec. 12^13, 1862.
Belle Plain and had come up and crossed the river after the fight, told the
writer in Fredericksburg that when he crossed the artillery had acquired the
range quite accurately and had wounded some troops on the bridge. The
regiment ascended the bank on Hawke street, turned to left down the river
road, Sophia street, now A, went a few blocks and halted, the men being
forbidden to leave the ranks and subject to roll-call every hour. Soon after
noon it was moved up one block to Caroline street, subsequently Main, now
B, then up Caroline a distance and halted on the north side of the way with
the right resting on Hawke, now 14th street, and the left on Fauquier, now
* This bridge ran directly across the river, its head on the south side being at the
foot of Hawke street, then extending to the water's edge. Mrs. Mander, living in the
two story frame house near corner of Hawlce and Sophia streets — see cuts 52 and ^^ — told
the writer that she was at home in this house on the morning of Dec. 11, 1862, and wit-
nessed the attempts at bridge laying.
7^
A Serious Night.
13.* The arms were stacked on the walk and the men were kept at hand
by the hourly roll-call. Every moment there was expectation of call to bloody
engagement. At intervals there was shelling by the enemy. One shell that
had passed through a chimney opposite struck, well spent, the roof of a build-
ing on our side of the street, and rolling off stopped among the feet of a chat-
ting group of three of our men. Before their dazed senses could take in the
situation it burst, wounding each one, but no one seriously — a marvelous
escape. One of them, Bailey of Co. E, was so much affected for the time
by concussion of both ankles that it required two of us to carry him to our
division hospital, one half mile away. As the afternoon waned and the even-
ing came on the men felt easier — life's lease had been extended one day.
They had found certain common edibles in the houses, and making fires there
they cooked what were to them rare, though homely, meals. Many dear
friends thus took their last sup together. The}' lay down to sleep that night
under roofs, and some on real beds — the first time in many months. Capt.
Gibbons, valued and beloved of all, finding a family bible in the room where
he, with fellow officers, spent the night at corner of Fauquier street, opened
it and read to his associates. Headquarters of the regiment were in a little
building down Fauquier a few steps. For Col. Perkins and the over hungry
members of his staff", John Perkins here prepared, late at night, a meal of
griddle-cakes, which, flavored with the contents of a pail of honey given the
writer for our mess by a good lady neai" Belle Plain, made a hearty and tooth-
some repast — our last together. As the night wore on ominous silence full
of foreboding seemed to have fallen upon the cit3\ Our little " Perk," as he
sometimes styled himself, would walk the floor uneasily, unlike his usually
confident self, and occasionally break out with : " Gentlemen, gentlemen, I
don't like this ! Something serious is going to happen. Those gentlemen
on the hill are fixing up something bad for us I fear I" And why should they
not be doing so } Had they not the best position, naturally, for " fixing up "
things.'' Had they not been given abundant time to make all needful prepa-
ration, and had we not been brought over the river and placed right in the
position those gentlemen would have preferred to have us take.'' Let us see.
Back of the city, that had its greatest dimension along the river, was an
uneven plain, slightly ascending, about one-half mile wide. Back of this
was a ridge of good height, finely adapted by nature for artillery. Marye's
Hill of this ridge rested on the south side of the road running out of the
city as Hanover street. Willis' Hill, now the National Soldiers' Cemetery,
continued the line to the deep ravine of Hazel Run, while across the road
from Marye's Hill extended Taylor's Hill, sweeping above in a curve
toward the town. These hills were well packed with the best batteries of the
enemy, as closely placed as possible for eflective working, and their slopes
* This was something of a business block before the war, having both stores and
dwellings — now business has gone down the street. The large dwelling at corner of
Fauquier st., where Capt. Gibbons had quarters, was burned after the war. Houses
standing there now (shown in cut 54) are new.
A Strong Position — As to Looting. yg
were lined with deep rifle-pits. The guns had a good direct fire upon the
plain and the town, sweeping every cross street, and most of them a good
enfilading fire upon much of the field, while the amphitheatre-like forma-
tion of Ta}dor's Hill gave the guns there a cross, or flank, fire upon all
points of the plain. At the foot of Marye's Hill and extending far south-
ward was the sunken, or "Telegraph," road, about twenty-five feet wide,
with a stone wall, shoulder high to a man, along its lower side, an embank-
ment on the outer side of this wall reaching at some places to its top. One
cannot conceive a stronger position for infantry in defense. In this road
were posted two or more ranks of men, easily reinforced, who could keep
up a continuous blaze of musketry upon any advancing opposing lines in
almost absolute safety themselves, while along the terraced hillside back of
them rifle-pits held ranks of men who could fire over their heads, the
artillery on the bi"ow of the hill firing over the heads of all. This was the
situation at nightfall, Dec. 12, 1S63.
One may as well allude here to the stories sometimes told of looting and
wanton destruction of property by our troops. The writer's very good
opportunity for observing in many streets during all the stay of our division
in the city fails to confirm these stories ; and he did not hear any such stories
while in the city. Beyond the using of flour and other provisions for food
and the proper use of household articles, always justifiable under such cir-
cumstances, with some instances of taking slight articles of little value as
mementoes, he saw almost no pilfering, and no wanton destruction.
Positively, the charge'cannot hold against the men of our regiment. There
were instances of jolly fellows of the Irish Brigade, and others, rigging
themselves out in the toggery, old stufls out of date, found in ladies' ward-
robes, and, with parasols raised, with mien and airs and mincing step of
fashionable belles or quaint old demoiselles, promenading the walks of the
blocks where quartered, such being the limit of their range. This was
simply the spirit of eternal youth exemplified ; the thing that kept men's
hearts from "failing them." Genl. Howard, who was in the city with his
command all the night ahead of us, mentions this kind of foolishness, with
a little pilfering, and says that while " many poor people had remained in
the city and many had come to our people for protection no instance of
personal abuse or violence came to my ears." Fredericksburg people left
very little portable that was worth stealing when they quit the city before
our army entered. They had received long warning and had well im-
proved it.
About nine o'clock on the morning of the 13th December came the order
for the Fourteenth to fall in. Moving by the right flank and filing left the
regiment marched up Hawke street one block to Princess Anne, now C,
street, then down the latter about five blocks to a point between the court-
house and a church edifice, receiving at each cross street a fire from the bat-
teries back of the town. The court-house steeple was used as a signal tower
during all the regiment's stay here and until late that afternoon. Official re-
ports of signal officers show that this was the only place in the city used for
8o
The Signal Flag.
such a purpose that clay. The signal flag was in motion neai'ly all the time
and of course attracted frequent shots from the enemy's batteries. Shells
struck buildings near, sending flying bits of brick and timber and of them-
selves all about, and many soldiers near us were struck and horribly muti-
lated in our sight. The men's hearts fluttered in unison with the movements
of the signal flag vibrating over their heads, for well they knew that some of
its swayings would yet spell out an order for them to advance ; and this wait-
ing, waiting in suspense, amid such surroundings and with such apprehen-
sions as came to them, seemed w^orse to endure than a dash upon the field.
Court Housei Princess Anne St., Fredericksburg — Signal Tower during the battle.
Apportion of the Left Grand Division had crossed the river earl}-, and on
this day some of the troops had advanced and attacked Jackson's men on the
rebel right. They had been successful in breaking the lines and driving the
enemy some distance. Then, according to subsequent confessions of some
of Jackson's officers, the enemy's ranks were seriously demoralized, and had
Meade been reinforced with five thousand fresh men, to be followed b\' ten
thousand or fifteen thousand more — and there appears no good reason why
he could not have had these or even a larger number — he could have followed
up his advantage gained and have swung around into therear of Longstreet's
position and taken in reverse the whole line in our front, so making necessary
" Forward !"
Si
the abandonment by Lee of all the heights in the rear of the city. But noth-
ing of the kind was done. Meade was not reinforced, the advance at the
left was stayed and our troops there were obliged to fall back; and just that
thing was done that ought not then by any means to have been done — the at-
tack on the right was ordered.
The signal flag above our brave boys' heads said that French's division must
prepare to advance, as it was to lead the attack. The details had already
been arranged and it took but brief time to set the columns in motion.
At the rear of the city there was, and still is, a canal or race-way, ofwidth
varying from eight to fifteen feet, conveying water from the I'iver above the
town to mills below. This was crossed at certain streets by narrow bridges,
from some of which the planks had been removed by the rebels, leaving but
little more than the stringers. Over these all our attacking parties must pass
and numerous guns of the enemy's batteries were trained on each.
Old Depot, Prussia St., Fredericksburg, Va.
At 13 M. the flag that all were so intently watching ceased its ominous
flutterings. " Forward ! " was the cry. Of Kimball's brigade, which was
to lead, the Sth Ohio, 4th Ohio and ist Del. regiments (the last one tem-
porarily attached) were sent forward as skirmishers. The Sth Ohio moved
out at the right on Hanover street and when outside of the city deployed to
the left to connect with the 4th Ohio and ist Del. that had moved out by
Prussia street below and deployed to the right. Soon afterward the rest of
Kimball's brigade moved out by Prussia street and advanced upon the plain,
presently followed by the Third Brigade, Col. Andrews commanding.
Then came the order for the Second Brigade,* our ow'n, to advance. Like a
* Col. Palmer of the loSth N. Y. commanded the brigade that day, Col. Morris having
been left sick at Belle Plain.
82
The Line of Death.
bugle note sounded out Col. Perkin's call : " Forward, Fourteenth ! " Down
Princess Anne the regiment hurried, amid the sound of arms upon the field
and the crash of shells falling in the streets or bursting in the houses, receiv-
ing at each intersecting street a galling fire from the batteries on the Marye
and Willis hills. Prussia street reached, facing the old brick depot so wel
remembered since, the command filed to right and moved out that street one
block, covered on the right by the houses, until the dreaded canal was reached
and the bridge touched — then the storm burst upon them. The rebel gun-
ners had the exact range. With abundant time to calculate distances they
knew just where to drop their shells and how to time their fuses. The bat-
teries in front had opened all along the line, and as the regiment could ga
but slowlv over the bridge the missiles did murderous work.* On the
The Fatal Bridge, in foreground looking towards princess Anne St. — CId R. R. Depot seen
beyond the car at right, 1891.
bridge fell good David Lincoln of Co. B, both legs knocked ofi:' above the
knees, and Daniel Otis with a fatal wound. Into a •' slaughter pen," indeed,
were the men going, but with brave hearts they pushed forward, the ofiicers
cheering them on. Soon they filed to right by a half wheel, for this road
was far to the left of the point to be charged, until the line came under the
partial shelter of a slight mound, and formed on the left of Andrews. One
or tv/o changes having been made here to conform lines to positions, instruc-
tions were given the men to lie close until ordered up. The guns on Taylor's
Hill fairly enfiladed the position doing deadly work, particularly at the left
* Sergt. Hincks, close at the head of the linC: thus graphically described : " Can-
ister shot went hopping round the depot yard and on the causewaj^ like enormous-
marbles, and shells burst, with a hideous crash, on everj^ side."
How They Charged — How Thev Fell.
83
of the regiment, as they did in the roth N. Y. near. It was a moment when
men's hearts are stricken with a dreadful expectancy, for the outlook was
horrible. Kimball's veterans were ordered on, and, bracing for the fray, they
made their straight, fierce rush at the stone wall ; to be hurled back by the
leaden storm flung out at them by tiers of musketry as barks are beaten back
by raging gales. Then Andrew's brave fellows were ordered up to the
charge, to meet a similar fate. Thei'e was a rush, a cheer, a crash of mus-
ketry with a tempest of bullets driven straight at their breasts, and the line
dissolved, stragglers or clusters firing here and there, but chiefly dropping
upon the ground to be exposed as little as possible. Then the Second
Brigade was ordered " up and at 'em ! " Ah, that charge! A few rods
brought the line to the flat ground directly in front of the old " Fair Grounds,"
indicated at that time by some remaining tall posts and some high boards
clinging hei'e and there to the rails.* Here Col. Perkins shouted his last
command to the Fourteenth. He dashed ahead and his brave boys followed.
A few rods, over ground every foot of which was lashed by artillery, and the
leveled guns on the direful wall coolly waiting spoke out in unison terrific.
Down went the leader, down went Major Clark, Capt. Carpenter, and Lieut.
Hawley. Capt. Gibbons and Lieuts. Stanley and Comes went down with
mortal wounds and Lieut. Canfield was killed outright. Other officers were
slightly wounded and Sergts. Fiske and Foot received frightful wounds ;
and so fell Color-bearer Dart and hosts of good men of the rank and file. On
pressed the rest as though thinking to encompass victory by their daring,
reaching to within one hundred and fifty yards or less of the wall, when,
hopeless of success, most dropped beside the huge fence posts or into little
hollows for slight protection and to use their guns as best they might against
the foe. While lying by one of these posts, Sergt. Dart and Corpl. Symonds
of Co. D received fearful face wounds. A shell struck the ground near them
and exploded. A fragment tore ofl" most of the face of Dart, frightfully dis-
figuring him for life, and the sharp sand was driven into the eyeballs of
Symonds, quenching light there forever. Sergt. Lyman of the same Co.
was lying close by these when they were hurt but strangely escaped harm,
and with others put in some good work with the rifle. This was to our
division the real end, and it practically dropped out of the fight far the day.
Hancock's division, that crossed below the railroad bridge, was soon ordered
up, to go through the motions ; doing some splendid fighting, and apparent!}'
gaining some advantage at one time ; meeting extraordinary losses and in
the end succumbing like French's division. Then Howard's division took
up the cue, sharing at the wind-up, toward nightfall, the same fate as the
preceding divisions. There was some more attacking by other troops but it
availed nothing as to conquering the position.
From Hancock's success at one or two points, putting the enemy to sore
*The present owner of this ground told the writer that the Fair Ground contained
ten acres and that he purchased it and built his house exactly at its centre. Fourteenth
men can calculate (see cut 58) how near they were to the " sunken road."
84
Saving the Colok.
o I
j; o
Bo
I
I c
straits and causing him severe losses, we
judge that had there been an attack in
mass by all the divisions of our corps
a breaking through the enemy's line
at some point might have been effected
and the heights gained, but by the drib-
bling, brigade order of the attacks no ap-
preciable hurt could be caused by one
charge that the enemy could not repair
before another onset came.
How our men got oft' the field it is
hard to tell. Finding it a useless and
murderous exposure of • themselves to
stay they drifted off' singly or in little
squads as lulls in the storm or the
clouds of smoke gave them opportunity,
helping oft' such wounded as they could.
Some, sheltered in trifling hollows, waited
until night came down to conceal them
and then went oft'. In a large excava-
tion, the ruins of an ice-house, well to-
wards the town, a large number stopped,
until, with men of many regiments, the
hole was full. From this place Sergt.
Lyman backed into town at evening
the badly wounded Gready of his com-
pany. In the rear of the square brick
house above the right of the Fourteenth
(see right of cut 58), where Kimball's
men charged, men pressed for protection
until the mass looked like a huge cluster
of swarming bees extending far back.
Presumably, none of the Fourteenth were
there. For once one of our colors came
near being lost to us. F. B. Doten and
W. B. Hincksof Co. A inquiring of Col.
Palmer as to the whereabouts of their
regiment, he could not tell them but
pointed to a flag lying on the ground
near. This proved to be our state color.
Falling thus, in a timely way, into the
right hands, it was borne from the field
and saved. The bodies of some of Kim-
ball's men were found and recognized
near the Ebert house, within thirty or
forty yards of the wall. How near it
The Victims.
85
some of the Fourteenth men may have gone we can never know ; per-
haps as near as Kimball's men or nearer, for the foremost were never seen
after the charge nor were they heard from again. None of those reported
missing on the Jield ev&v came back. It is probable that not a man of the
regiment was captured, and it is stated and believed that not a man of the
Second Corps was. When the night fell, and on the morning after, the
ground in front of the wall was strewn with forms in blue ; but the morn-
ing after our troops withdrew, as said a woman living near the wall, " the
ground was white." They had been stripped.
The losses of the Fourteenth in killed and mortally wounded numbered
forty-four; wounded, as known, seventy-one ; missing, five — fully one-third
of the number taken into the fight. Remnants of the regiment rallied at the
Rowe House, Fredericksburg, Va. — Hospital Dec. 12-15, 1862.
river side, below the railroad bridge, under Capt. Davis, then the ranking
otficer.
The scenes and the work at the hospitals were appalling. Men had been
borne to church edifices, ware-houses, and various public and private build-
ings until the city seemed full of the wounded, though numbers of those
able to walk had gone over the river. A large proportion of the wounds
had been made by shells and were of a ghastly character. To our division
hospital, the Rowe house on the river road, men were brought until rooms,
verandas and lawns were full. Under the large sycamore in rear of the
house our surgeons plied the knife, saw, and forceps and applied ligament
and bandage until far into the night. On the northern porch lay, among
others, our Dart, his face torn off as though slashed away with a cleaver,
and by his side lay iSymonds, his eyes swollen with inflammation to the size
of eggs, the sand grains showing through the tightly stretched and shining
35 How They Suffered.
lids. Near the south porch lay our Lincoln, his two legs dangling from the
trunk by naught but the slender cords. Though the sight of his poor,
mangled form forced out our tears, his smile was beatific as he gave us words
of love for his young wife and friends and expressed his devotion to his
country and his readiness to die. We buried him in the garden, taking sixty
seconds of precious time for a little service at his grave. In a room above
lay, pale as death with his grievous wound, the noble Stanley, and near him
Sergt. Fiske, with that rent in his stomach that, though, as he said, not " as
big as a barn door nor deep as a well," kept him groaning all the night.
And there was Carpenter ; also Lloyd, who, though grimacing with the pain of
a shattered wrist, would keep his jokish tongue wagging in a \vay that
seemed ghastly just then ; also many others. In a little building just above
were, with others, Col. Perkins and Major Clark, the former suftering so
from what then seemed an unexplainable wound of the shoulder that it
required our steady effort until long past midnight to reduce his sense of
pain sufficiently for him to sleep. In the yard, under the sycamore, were two
large cauldrons set in masonry. These held a barrel or so each and had
been used by Mr. Rowe for trying out fats. The division surgeon. Dr.
Grant, had entrusted to the care of the writer all the tea, coffee, sugar, and
spirits in the medical supply wagon, with the injunction to see that all were
used with the utmost carefulness ; especially the spirits, of which there were
only a few bottles. It required vigilance to prevent the very dry, the thirstv
for spirit, the grievously unwounded from snatching sups of the latter, and
every drop was needed for our badly shocked sufferers. When a suggestion
was made that we utilize the cauldrons for brewing the tea and coffee for the
sufferers there were many willing hands to bring water and make fires and do
the brewing. As we went about at a late hour with details carrying buckets
of the precious drinks and the surprised men -were told to take all they wished
of the refreshing cup the benedictions that followed were so flavorous of
genuine gratification and gratefulness that they remain v\^ith us one bright
memory of that dismal night. In the morning, apprehensive of a renewal of
the fighting,* we sent over the river all the wounded, Col. Perkins. IMajor
Clark and others unable to walk being borne on stretchers. Then Drum
Maj, McCarthy and the writer started on a tour of the hospitals to find Capt.
Gibbons and others of the Fourteenth said to have been taken to a church
and other buildings on Princess Anne street ; but we found that they had
already been taken over the river and were safe.
There was little firing that day except by the pickets and but few were
wounded. The regiment rested by the river, the number increased now to
nearly two hundred. It was not a pleasant or healthful spot to repose on,
* In proof of Maj. Clark's word that " no one could be safe in the city" we state,
that one shell went through the roof of our building; one passed within a few feet of
Lincoln as the writer was bending over him ; we saw one burst in the road near in a
group of batterjmen and their horses ; one burst in the air over our head and one tore
a shoe from a foot of the writer's horse in a stable near. These are specimens.
The Return to Camp — Reviewixg.
87
for mother earth, their only seat or bed, was wet and soft and cold, but it
was pleasanter and healthier than a position before the stone wall.
Early on the 15th the hospital force was ordered to return to the north
side of the Rappahannock and all of our portion went except Surgeon Jewett,*
who was detailed to stay with the regiment, and the writer, who stayed from
choice. At evening of the same day the regiment was ordered over, and late
that night it reached the old camp above Falmouth in a dreary rain, the men
wear}' of body and depressed in spirits. Before daylight of the i6th all our
forces recrossed the river, the city was abandoned and the pontoons were cut
loose from the southern shore — and the enemj- had not come out of their en-
trenchments to pursue.
But the day has come again and our people are moving about to see this
.i;»...-AAi^»it»»,
A bit of the "Sunken Road."
Blatchleti.
Fredericksburg we have been talking of. Eager to see some of the places
once indelibly burned into their memories our "boys" have started to find
the place of the pontoon ; the block on Caroline street where the}' buckled on
the harness for the direful struggle, and Princess Anne, where they awaited
the final summons to the encounter ; the fatal bridge over the ditch ; the
storm swept plain ; the Marye house, so plainly visible from the Staftbrd hills
while we were there and always since the war of such historic eminence ; the
hospital building, red in memory, and the Lacy house, now heavily embow-
* Surgeon Rockwell had been left sick at Belle Plain and was not with us at all, but
Asst. Surgeons Dudley and Jewett had staid in the city from the beginning.
gg Our Welcome.
ered in trees of a sub-war growth. While some of us were at the place of
the famous wall, with an inside view, the writer ventured the assertion that
for desperateness as related to the attacking party and for strength of position
and immunity from danger of the defenders the much-lauded charge of the 3rd
July, iS63,at Gettysburgdid not compare with the Union charges here Decem-
ber 13, 1862. That at Gettysburg there was but one charge, comparatively
brief, of one vast body of men, larger probably than our whole corps here,
the vastness giving to each person of it a ground of confidence for victory and
a sense of mighty companionship, so helpful in a desperate undertaking, the
defending force drawn out to an attenuated line on a ridge of slightest eleva-
tion and with only a simple wall as a defence in some places and no barriers
in others, all this force exposed when the contest was well on ; while here the
charges were made in piecemeal order of small brigades and over a plain
literally raked and swept by fresh, fully-prepared artillery from its outer edge
to its front, and said front mowed by musketry, the defenders, several ranks
deep, almost wholly concealed behind an impervious high wall and backed by
well-manned rifle-pits higher located and by closely placed artillery ; and he
inquired if others, upon now comparing, so judged. There was a unanimous
acquiescence in the opinion. "And," added our Broatch, " we can judge of
the difficulty of taking this position by just imagining the old Second Corps
occupying it. How many men do you suppose could take it from us.''"
" Not thirty thousand ! " was the reply.
In the morning paper our men found this greeting awaiting them under
double-headed lines : " The Yanks again with us. Old Union veterans visit
the places they helped to bathe in blood." And some old fossils snarled their
bitterness as some people showed us civility and hospitality, causing aston-
ishment to some of their friends who '' thought the wah was over" — but it
could not hurt our feelings at all nor depress our spirits, especially as many
good citizens and some old Confeds. welcomed us warmly. One of the
latter chatted an hour or two with a group of us over the war and its causes,
expressing his present satisfaction at the outcome and his conviction that none
of his class could be again duped into such a struggle. Then, as he told us,
he knew nothing of the northern people and their intentions except from
garbled misrepresentations, for no newspaper that could enlighten them could
come into their hands. "Now," said he, " I take a northern paper all the
time, and I read it, and my old comrades do the same, and we know you
now and cannot be deceived again."
This town of ancient note and early importance, for years of late so dull,
had in it but little of interest to see. There were some pleasant residences,
and a little enlivenment was apparent in some newly started factories. Mary
Washington's homestead in the city, and her much mutilated monument and
outrageously neglected tomb, came in for a share of attention. That our-
selves were objects of curiosity to some of the people vv^as obvious. When
our Kansian contingent, comrade Fletcher and his wife, were out observing,
a little girl who spied the unctuous, smiling face and substantial form of our
comrade clutched excitedly her mother's gown, exclaiming : *•* O maw, come
Surprises.
89
and see the Yanks ! " Lieut. Fiske, " our Fiskie " as the boys affectionately
call him, had a genuine treat. A poor old darkey from the country came
down the street with a small load of wood on a bit of a cart drawn by a
diminutive steer in harness made of bits of rope. " What will you take for
your load, uncle.^" called F. " Haifa dollar sah," was the reply. " Half
a dollar for all that.^ I'll take it ! " Then photographer Sweet of our party
was sent for and driver and outfit were "took." Then the hat was passed
around and numerous " chink " dropped into it and the old man was told to
take his wood and sell it again. He had the surprise of his lifetime and went
away laden with funds and happiness — and Fiskie was happy. The lieuten-
ant expressing a wish to find the building he was taken to when wounded,
he was promptly conducted there. When introduced to the present owner
Chancellor House, Va., and Orange Plank Road, 1891.— From the West.
and occupant, a comrade Fleming, and shown the room where he spent
his wretched night after the battle he was exuberant with expressions of de-
light. He pointed out the spot where he lay and told a story characteristic
of his modesty and self-abnegation. It was, that when he had been laid
upon the hard floor some persons brought in a mattress for the use of a badly
wounded officer they were about to bring there. While they were gone for
this officer he, having with his longing eyes taken in the advantages of pre-
empting the mattress, managed in some way to flop himself to and upon it;
and when the party came bearing in the other man to place upon it they
found, to their astonishment, our modest friend there — simply unconscious of
their presence and suffering dreadfully ! Being told that the floor had still
upon it great blood stains the lieutenant exacted a promise from Mr. Flem-
ing that if the boards should be taken up he would send him one.
QO Chaxcellorsville.
Before noon large parties were made up for a trip to Chancellorsville, ten
miles away. Others started out to find the old camp above Falmouth. All
at Chancellorsville were greatly interested in the Chancellor house, a relic
and waymark of the battle. The eastern wing of the structure was burned
during the battle and when the ruin was repaired this portion was not re-
built : also a " mansard'' replaced the old steep roof.
There is an open space in the forest on the river road, about one-third mile
at rear of the Chancellor house. The same ground was open at the time of
the battle. The Fourteenth left the old camp at Falmouth April 28, 1S63.
crossed the Rappahannock at United States Ford at evening of the 30th and
bi\ouacked that night on this open field, about two miles from the river.
The next day, leaving here knapsacks under guard, it advanced with the
division a mile or two beyond the Chancellor house southward on a recon-
noissance in force, returning to this spot that evening — to be, as our boys
will remember, the recipients of a lively shelling just after our band struck up
" Hail Columbia." At evening of May 2, when the Eleventh Corps broke
and our division was ordered up to check the advance of Jackson, the regi-
ment, again leaving here all knapsacks under guard, advanced to the Orange
Flank Road, and, turning to right past the Chancellor house, hurried,
just at dark, about one-half mile up the road and filed into the woods : t the
right. It was an exciting and most critical time with our army. The regi-
ment held this position all that night of turmoil and apprehension in front of
the place where Jackson fell. In the morning, after considerable severe
fighting and some serious losses, as the enemy was flanking it the regiment
fell back through the woods, happening upon this identical bit of open
ground again. On the night of May 4, 1S64, at the opening of the Wilder-
ness campaign, the Fourteenth once more iDivouacked close to this same
field. As this spot was so attractive, a squad of the members of our party
went out to it, and thence retraced the steps of that morning of May 3, 1S63.
going through the woods to the place where the regiment was engaged, a
little distance from the Jackson statue. The ground was readih^ identified.
There yet existed traces of the battle and our party picked up bullets and
other relics. An association has purchased most of this portion of the field
to make a great and permanent battlefield park. Comrade Inglis and his
wife, whose enthusiasm and endurance rivaled those of the hardiest vets.,
drove four miles further to the Wilderness battlefield. Comrade Blatchlev
and his son did the same — whence our views 62 and 63.
To those who had set out to find the old camp it proved, as it had proved
to others before, a "fickle jade" and entirely eluded their search, greatly to
their disappointment. There being a strong desire to see that old spot of so
many sombre and some genial memories, the next morning a party in six car-
riages, under the guidance of one who had been there, started for it. Driving
a mile above the city, we crossed to Falmouth village on a fine new iron
bridge and thence went two or three miles up the Hartwood Church road.
When the way to the camp was shown there was small surprise that its laby-
rinthine locality had foiled so many seekers. When, standing on the side
The Old Camp at Falmouth.
91
hill of the camp, the lower half of which is cultivated, the guide pointed out
the brook coursing in the dell at its foot, the camp of the t2th N. J. regi-
ment beyond and that of
the 130th Penna. just
around the turn, the place
of brigade headquarters
and that of the commis-
sary department beyond
it, and various other
points, and then stepping
into the growth of young
trees covering the upper
part of the hill and point-
ing to the old hut exca-
vations and the company
streets between them
asked if the evidences
were sufficient, all the
"boys" said: " It is the
old camp, sure enough ! "
"And yet," said Broatch,
"if we can find the places wdiere the officers' Sibley tents stood the chain
of evidence will be complete." "Very well, let's go right up." So up
62. Blatcldey.
Where 14th 0. V. colors crossed the Orange Plank Road, May 6,
186 + , Battle of the Wilderness.
g3 Blatclilei/.
brock Road, Wilderness, Va., where 14th C. V. colors were planted May 6, 1864.
the street of companies B and G we went to the top of the hill, where a per-
fectly preserved circular ridge, the base of one " Sibley," appeared. A lit-
Q2 Scenes — A War Museum.
tie farthei^ vip the line another such base ^vas found, and so all five in their
course — and the chain was complete. Those little mounds and hut excava-
tions, awaiting- all the long years past our coming, were mutely pathetic of a
winter of hardship and gloom enough for a decade of life. Long may the
kindly woods be allowed to remain to preserve them for us. The old parade
ground above the hill was found to be covered with a thick growth of trees
and shrubs. Beyond this a little, cozy white house was pointed out and the
comrades inquired of what it was. They responded promptly : "French's
headquarters." On the upper side of the hill were shown several narrow,
deep excavations, touching reminders of regimental burials in the dark war
days. Mr. Gibbons of the party was taken to the place where the broken
body of his father, our Capt. Gibbons, and that of Lieut. Comes had received
temporar}' burial one bleak December day in '63. It was a military funeral
in full. All the regiment turned out, the chaplain officiating and the band
playing a dirge. This spot had a hallowed interest to the young man and
a sight of it touched him deeph".
After the visit to the camp we drove to get a view of Couch's headquar-
ters, and then to the high hill overlooking Falmouth where the 20-ppdr. Par-
rott guns stood that threw their long bolts into Fredericksburg during the
battle. Comrade INIiles of the 37th Connecticut was highly gratified in find-
ing the old camp of his regiment. That afternoon the same party went over
to the old Washington homestead on the heights below the railroad bridge,
and went to the position there of the battery of seven 30-ppdr. Rodman guns
manned by two companies of the First Conn. Heavy Artillery during the win-
ter of '63 and '63. These guns could have helped us much on the day of the
battle had the gunners been allowed to serve them as they wished — so the
writer was informed by them once when there soon after the fight. Sergt.
Spencer and others went that day to Spottsylvania and the " Bloody Angle" —
about the bloodiest place history notes — where the Fourteenth had one of
its serious engagements. Here an oak tree more than a foot in diameter was
actually cut down by the bullets shot across it, so close were the contending
lines it was between, so numerous the shots and so fierce the fighting. That
evening nearly all the remaining excursionists returned to Washington, for
each desired to devote all available time to " doing" that city.
A very attractive object to all the guests at the "Exchange" was the
museum of war relics collected by the proprietors of the hotel and arranged
for display in the large sitting room. This was the finest collection of its
kind in the country, comprising small arms and missiles, accoutrements and
gear of nearly every description — muskets and sabres, bayonets and bullets,
pistols and lances, shell and shot, canteens, knapsacks, belts, buttons, shoes,
uniforms, ensigns and gauntlets, many of them of strangest styles and nearly
all picked up on the battlefields in the vicinit3\ There were sections of large
trees in which were imbedded solid shot or shell, and there was a section,
several feet high, of one tree that had the appearance of a gigantic sponge
or filter. To think of men of human flesh and bones and blood standing
before the same kind of battery fire of grape and canister that had riven that
The Nation's Capital.
93
tree ! Some of the relics were exceedingly rare and valuable. It may
interest our people to be informed that since our visit the whole collection
has been sold and taken away.
It is surprising what an amount of endurance people develop. Four or
five days of such excursion jaunting, walking, riding long courses, seeing,
hearing, investigating and talking, and of staying in strange places with
many strange "inconveniences" would seem enough usually to take the
enthusiasm out of any such party, but most of our excursionists appeared to
never tire. Not a moment was lost from bad weather from the start. Clear
The National Capitol, Washington — East front.
skies and fine air, albeit growing hot and dusty at last, favored every hour
of every day and night — and the people made the most of it. All had come
to our national Mecca, our unrivaled capital city, to see all it could show
them, and our vets were eager to view all the places known to them during
the war, noting the astonishing improvements. While the city is not so vast
as some of our metropolitan cities it is a place of marvelous beauty as to the
order of its laying-out and its adornments, the width of its streets and the
smoothness of their pavements, its arboreal furnishings and the fine statues
of our national heroes occupying the many public squares and circles. Some
of our enthusiasts took them all in. They visited the capitol, vast and grand,
94
What We Saw.
with its immense halls of legislation ; its great rotunda, with choice historical
and allegorical paintings ; its immense congressional library ; its '' seat of
Judgment," where the highest court magnates of the land hold sittings ; its
basement, with most exquisite frescoes, and its lofty, symmetrical dome,
from whose top they could see the city at their feet, its avenues radiating
from them like the spokes of a wheel. They called at the White House,
executive mansion and presidential residence in one. and passed through its
elegant apartments, seeing some of the dignitaries of the land — simply
human beings. They went to the massive pile of granite called the Treasury,
and had a peep, if they chose, at the heaps of " tin " in the vaults, and to
the elegant granite structure where the business of the State, War, and
Executive Mansion, " White House,"' Washington.
Navy Departments is attended to, a building said to be the finest structure
in the world devoted to such purposes. They ascended the needle-like
Washington Monument and from a dizzy height had the view of views.
The famed Smithsonian exhibited to them its treasures archaeological,
ornithological, and entomological, while the Museum of Natural History
aftbrded them hours of delight and instruction with its immense and rare
collection of curious and illustrative articles. Here were relics of the
persons and homes of our illustrious Washington, Grant, and others. Here
were collected specimens of the precious materials for useful structures and
implements and for ornamental purposes, and of the mineral, vegetable and
animal products of our great country and of the seas. Here were specimens
of the industries of the nations, from the culinary utensils, the boats, the
musical instruments, the carvings, the fabrics of the most rude peoples to the
Mount Vernon — Arlington,
95
finest products of hand or machinery of our own first-class nation. Not least
interesting in thisgreat repository was the famous Catlin collection of painted
Indian portraits and scenes from Indian life — a collection wonderful in its
kind and that could not be replaced if lost. The Corcoran Art Gallery,
with its choice collection of paintings, copies of antique sculptures, ancient
gems, carvings and rare bronzes captivated the artistic. Most made the
American patriot's pilgrimage to Mount Vernon to see the home and haunts
and tomb of our immortal Washington. This place, as delightful as it is
noted, always charms the visitor. Yet there is something more than the
view of beautiful scenery and rare old curios that affects the true American
heart here — it is the gratification of a lifetime longing, a reverential desire,
to see the place where lived, thought, spoke and trod the man our early
chilhood held in veneration.
Great Arlington, too, with its sacred acres bearing on their bosom the
precious dust of sixteen thousand of our heroes who perished that the nation
might not be disrupted, was a place of absorbing interest. Not only did the
multitudes marshalled, as the little headstones indicated, in the eternal "bivouac
of the dead," hold their attention and their hearts' homage, but the grounds
of varying plain and dell and grand old forest trees and charming floral
growth, and the broad and perfect roads, direct and winding, all delighted
them.
Mount Vernon, Va. — Washington's Home.
Little by little the number of our party diminished, some forced home early
by pressing calls of business or duty, others lingering as long as possible,
vmtil by the 24th nearly all had left the city and gone home ; there to recall
96
Good-bye.
and repeat with unabating pleasure the incidents of their dehghtful trip — a
trip which our Hall calls, in his "Souvenir Album," "•Our delightful and
long to be remembered excursion ; so ably planned and so successfully
executed."
A battlefield historic menu that not man}^ regiments could furnish, a kind
of weather that left nothing to be desired, and arrangements as nearly perfect
and as nearly perfectly executed as human nature and circumstances would
permit made this what our ever popular president termed it, '' a perfect
excursion."
And with this should be said a word for the splendid, magnanimous be-
havior of our people, men and w^omen, old and young. No pleasanter,
worthier grouping ever could be on such a trip. All conduct was unexcep-
tionable. The ladies, so often the terror of such a trip, were to our excursion
what the roses are to the garland, its beauty and sweetness, its choicest charm.
Their courage, cheerfulness, thorough interest and unvarying good nature,
have led us to say, verily, there never were any other ladies like the ladies of
the Fourteenth Connecticut excursion party. God bless them !
c
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O Q.
STONY MOUNTAIN AND MORTON'S FORD.
ONE side trip, made by a few of the party, must, in the judgment of some,
be written up : a trip to Stony Mountain and Morton's Ford, Va. —
and that involves the rendering of the battle at the latter place.
No other winter camp of the Fourteenth has been so pleasantly remem-
bered as that at Stony Mountain from Dec. 27, iS63,to May 3, 1S64, and no
battle was to the regiment what the battle of Morton's Ford was ; for while
this was not one of the great battles of the war the Fourteenth may be said
to have been " in it" in the fullest sense.
The regiment had just completed some stylish and comfortable quarters
near Stevensburg, Va., after the return from the Aline Run campaign, when,
on Dec. 27, 1863, orders came for the brigade to march. Neither the pour-
ing rain nor the men's hot anger could induce a modification of the order to
go. The move was southward a few miles to a little elongated hill covered
with pines and huge boulders, about one and one-half miles from Morton's
Ford of the Rapidan. Here the men were told to build again, as they should
stay all winter. The outlook was dreary, the land forbidding and the rain
copious and cold. In a day or two, however, the weather was bright, and
the soldiers, who had learned to make the best of everything, went earnestly
to work and soon had, with their brigade, completed one of the best arranged,
most convenient and attractive camps campaigners ever had. They've called
€8.
From draiving hy Geo. W. Rill, of Co. G.
Brig. Camp, Stony Mountain, winter of 1864. — 14th 0. V. camp in foreground.
it their "Model Camp." Timber abounded, and all the streets and plat-
forms in front of the huts were corduroyed, and sundry embellishments added
not obtainable theretofore. The mountain, so called, was about one mile in
98
The "Model Camp.
extent on its longest axis, and the Four-
teenth's camp was located on the lower
part of its north-west slope. The camp
of the 1 3th N. J. adjoined it, that of the
loSth N. Y. was next beyond, and that
of the I St Del. farthest away. The camp
of the loth N. Y. Battln. was at the op-
posite end of the hill. There was to
the regiment an unusual and delightful
sense of independence in this camp, in-
asmuch as the brigade had the special
duty of picketing the river, within the
cavalry vidette line, and was so far from
the main body of the army that general
orders were not wont to trouble it.
When the camp was completed the
wives of some of the officers came and
spent several weeks with them there — ■
the onl3'time the Fourteenth ever knew
this golden chance. As this camp and
the battlefield near do not lie on the route
of general travel our men have not vis-
ited them, and there has long been a
strong desire felt by some to embrace
the first feasible opportunity for doing
so. Accordingly, on the afternoon of
Sept. 3ist, after our return from Fred-
ericksburg, Colonels Aloore and Broatch
and the writer, with hearts more elated
than we could express, took train from
Washington for it.
A run of a few miles took us to a
reeion bristling" with war time reminis-
cences. Fairfax Junction was passed,
and soon we shot over that stream once
utterly insignificant in our country's
history but suddenl}', in the summer of
iS6i, heard of the world around — Bull
Run. Then soon appeared, out upon
the plain, some high red earthworks
of the once mysterious Manassas ; then
Bristoe Station, scene of one of our
sharpest litde fights, Oct. 14, 1S63.
Catlett's Station and Bealton Station,
well remembered as great depots of
The Old Ground.
99
army supplies, appeared on their broad plains, and then Warrenton Junc-
tion where we bivouacked the night of November 15, 1S62, on our way
to Fredericksburg, and touched again in the summer and fall of 1S63. We
crossed the Rappahannock where five times we had crossed it on pon-
toons in the fall of 1863, and then passed Brandy Station, location of our
principal depot of supplies in the winter of 1863-64 and near which were
the chief field hospitals of the army that winter — where our wounded of the
Morton's Ford battle were cared for.
Culpepper, our objective point on the railroad, was reached at an early
evening hour and a little time spent in looking about that singular old town,
so mixed up with the vibrations of the two opposing armies in this part of
Virginia during a large part of the war time. An early start the next day,
with a good team, and we were soon under the shadow of Pony Mountain
— prominent in all our views when campaigning in that part of the country —
on our way to Stevensburg.
The day was a perfect one. Happy as school-boys out on a lark our
spirits rose steadily. Stevensburg reached we turned southward, and after
driving about three miles over a road rough enough to make saints talk
saucy turned into a field and drove for the southern part of Stony
Mountain. A little farther drive and we were on the old parade ground of
the Fourteenth. Then we entered the woods, completely grown over the
^ 70-
Stony Mountain Va., in 1892. — Camp of 14th C. V. in left background, Parade-ground in foreground.
hill left bare when the regiment moved away, and stood among the relics of
the old camp, our hearts crying out in the great solitude for the comrades
there associated in the days of long ago. Positions were easily determined,
joo February 6, 1864.
and the boulders that looked so lovely once as street settings or inside tent
ornaments were there, but the corduroy and the things indicating streets had
vanished. One fire-place composed of large stones, strongly suggestive of
sizzling pork and steaming coffee, and various heaps indicating where
chimneys had stood were found ; also old boots, rusty cans, broken bottles —
proving how fond the Fourteenth men were of -pickles — and slashed can-
teens, destroyed upon breaking camp to prevent their use by the enemy. A
little climbing took us to the top of the hill where a fine view in all directions
was afforded. The prominent Clark's Mountain, Lee's place of observation,
below the Rapidan was in sight, and so was the battlefield of Morton's
Ford.
And why is not this a good point and place to introduce the story of
THE BATTLE.
Early in February, 1864, it had been arranged b}' our highest military au-
thorities that Genl. Butler should advance upon Richmond w^ith a view to
capture it. To divert the attention of Lee and make it appear necessary to
hold his army intact near the Rapidan a demonstration was ordered made by
the Second Corps at Morton's Ford and a simultaneous one by the First Corps
at Raccoon Ford, about three miles above. Evidently it was not intended
that an engagement should be hazarded or that a great force should be thrown
across the river. The First Corps did not cross, but some leaders in the
Second Corps, moved by spirits that have their proper place, if anywhere,
within iron bound casks, where they should forever stay, essayed more than
was purposed — hence the great woes, unrequited, of our regiment ; for no
good whatever seems to have come from the trouble, suffering and loss of
that battle-day.
The First Corps, Genl. Newton, moved on the morning of Feb. 6 to the
vicinity of Raccoon Ford, where it spent that day and the next in practical
inactivity, returning to camp at dusk of the 7th. Genl. Wan-en, command-
ing the Second Corps, reports that orders were issued the night of the 5th to
move the whole corps at daylight. Accordingl}', early the next morning all
the divisions of the Second Corps were headed towards Morton's Ford. At
about 7 o'clock the Fourteenth, under command of Lieut. Col. S. A. Moore,
with its brigade, commanded that day by Col. Powers of the io8th N. Y.,
left the snug quarters at Stony Mountain, having a good supply of ammuni-
tion and three days' rations, and, falling in behind the other brigades of the
division coming from their camps back with the main army, moved through
a belt of woods in front of the camp and turned towards the ford. This ford,
one of the few passable places of this deep, swift stream, is about midway of
a rectangular bend of the Rapidan whose convex side is northward and some-
what more than a mile long. A road approaches the river on each side ob-
liquely from above. The head of an island appears between the debouchures
of these roads, and at this point the stream broadens. The enemy had earth-
works for artillery on the heights, more than a mile back from the ford, curv-
Morton's Ford — The First Crossing.
lOl
ing towards the river at the extremes of the bend referred to. Also, they had
a rifle-pit, containing about eighty men, beyond the river bank. Below the
ford the public road runs, in a general direction, southward over a hill seen
near the right of cut 67, and upon it, nearly one mile from the river, was the
residence of Dr. Morton — not visible at the ford. About halfway from the
ford to this house a farm road enters said road on the left coming from the
house of Major Buckner. The ford is reached from the Stevensburg high-
way by a farm road of over one-half mile length passing the Robinson house.
Upon the plateau south-w^est of this house the artillery of the Second Corps
was drawn up and near it much of the infantry. These were in plain sight
■of the enemy, the artillery being within range of his works. The lead of this
movement, as well as nearly all the fighting, was to devolve on the Third
Division, though the Second Division, Genl. Webb, was, later in the day,
ordered over in support, to guard against a possible grand push of the enemy.
Genl. Webb commanded the corps the most of the day, Genl, Warren plead-
ing indisposition and not appearing on the field until late in the afternoon.
Morton's Ford from south bank. — Head of Island In River seen. — Figure stands in Road.
At about 10.30 A. M. the Third Brig., Genl. Owen, of our Div., v/as
ordered to effect a crossing, which it promptly proceeded to do. No pro-
vision had been made for bridging the stream, so real fo7'dinf^ must be done.
Three hundred selected veterans of the brigade w^ere advanced as skirmishers,
under command of Capt. Seabury. These quickly waded the stream, dashed
up the bank, the brigade following, and charged the rifle-pits, capturing about
J 02 Midwinter Wading — Ordered In.
thirty men. The enemy's batteries began playing upon them at once, and
there was a quick run for the slope in front. Over the ridge the skirmishers
and the brigade pushed, driving what of the enemy's infantry opposed them,
and formed a line of skirmishers beyond the Morton house, (see cut 73) ex-
tending it through the fields at the left and to the rear of the Buckner prem-
ises. Immediately thereupon the enemy advanced a strong skirmish line in
opposition, and at 12.30 o'clock Genl. Owen, as he says, seeing a heavy col-
umn of infantry moving into position towards his left sent request for rein-
forcements. At once the First Brig., Genl. Carroll, was sent over, arriving
on the ground at 1.15. The force in front was steadily increasing, and as
large masses of troops were seen moving from the direction of Clark's Moun-
tain the call was soon made for additional reinforcements. Then our own
brigade was ordered over. Genl. Owen says that this brigade i^eported at
3.15 P. M.
It was a rough thing to be obliged to wade a rapid stream, waist deep,
when in midwinter water of melted snow and ice was flowing, and that in
the midst of a drizzling rain that chilled to the bone and where the sand and
ooze of the river-bed filled shoe and boot. But the Fourteenth did it, and
moved quickly on up the slope towards the Buckner ridge. The enemy
shelled briskly but no one of the regiment was hurt. Moving to rear of the
Buckner house the regiment rested, with the brigade, awaiting orders. It
was a most uncomfortable time. The clothing of the men was saturated with
the icy water of the river and their shoes had not been cleared of its sand.
The ground where they rested was wet and muddy and the disagreeable driz-
zle continued. While they were lying there, occasionally receiving a shell-
ing, the skirmishers at the front were having a lively time, the enemy accu-
mulating numbers and extending lines towards the river as though purposing
a move to get between that and our forces. Pressing our line harder and
harder, toward evening they made a vigorous attack and drove it back from its
position beyond the Morton house towards the Buckner place and continued
advancing. There was need of immediate action, for jt looked as though an
attack in force was contemplated. The 39th N. Y., the old " Garibaldi
Guards," was ordered to advance and stop the enemy. This regiment being
largely composed of new recruits, and those of a foreign tongue, totally unfit
to be sent out for such a purpose at such a time and place, recoiled and was
soon driven back in disorder. Something effective must be done instanter,
and, passing over those who would have the preference, or obligation, in
order, the commanding general called for his " Connecticut Yankees, who
could be relied on." Col. Moore's voice, shrilly calling : " Forward. Four-
teenth ! " was heard, and without delay the men, stepping over the 12th N.
J. men lying in their front, advanced to the ridge on which the Buckner
house is located, deployed as skirmishers with short intervals of three or four
feet. On passing over the ridge the line was exposed to a very hot fire of
musketry from the rebel line advanced some distance in front of the Morton
house and along the ridge at left and right of it. This galling fire made some
of the recruits nervous, especially as now darkness had come on to that degree
Fighting in the Dark.
103
that the enemy's position could be seen but dimly, and a score or two were
quite demoralized for a little time. But the ofHcers promptly disciplined
them and brought them to their places and their senses, and the sturdy old
boys carried them right along. Adjutant Hincks, fearing an attempt to flank
at the left by forces from the entrenchments on the hill, took a line to the left
and held it rigidly there. Advancing down the slope and through the swale
the regiment was subjected to a fire hotter and hotter, but courage and de-
termination grew with every step and there was no faltering. When about
one-halfway across the swale Maj. Coit was struck, and left the field. Col.
Moore, always cool of head and undaunted, and yet impetuous and almost
fierce in a fight, rode along the line incessantly, his fine, penetrating voice ring-
ing out orders in the increasing darkness, rallying the men and keeping them
to their places and duty. The enemy stubbornly held position until the regi-
ment reached the road. Here was a steep bank eight or ten feet high, (near
third tree from right seen in cut 73) up which the men clambered, receiving
a volley at the top. Col. Moore, being mounted, was obliged to ride up the
Buckner House and Ridge seen from the Morton House Slope and Swale the ^ Hb C. V.
advanced over firing, Battle Morton's Ford. — Road fence in foreground at left.
road toward the house and the control of the right practically devolved on
the commander of Co. A, Capt. Broatch. It was pitchy dark by this time
and men could not see each other when a few feet apart. Only by the voices
could they know where their commanders were, and only bv the gun-flashes
could one determine where his enemy was. As a command was given a
volley was sent in that direction, and as a gun flashed it furnished a point to
aim at. Almost the first order given after gaining the top of the bank drew
a volley that took oft' one of Capt. Broatch's fingers and spoiled his sword-
hilt and struck several men of his com]:)any and of Cos. D and F. The cap-
tain pushed forward holding his sword in his left hand, still guiding his men
with his voice, when a shot cut his trusty blade in two, and his wound be-
I04
At Close Quarters.
coming very painful he was obliged to retire from the field. But the line
was well under headway driving the rebel line back towards the house. It
was a hand to hand fight in the inky darkness, the contending parties being
but a few yards or feet apart.
That is a thrilling and desperate moment when men see their antagonists,
a few steps away, only by the light coming from their gun muzzles and hear
the whizz of the bullets or feel their blow almost simultaneously with seeing
the flash. Such was it with the Fourteenth at this hour. Men were falling
all the time ; but they were winning and the end was nearing. When the
regiment reached the Morton house the rebel force w^as massing behind it and
among the outbuildings. Capt. Doten of Co. F went into the house with a
Morton House seen from the BucUner House. — Scene of last struggle, Battle of Morton's Ford, Feb. 6, 1864.-
Swale over which the 14th C. V. advanced.
few of his men. He could see that it would be madness to charge the
enemy at the back of the house with his handful of men ; but this very mad-
ness was required of him. The division commander came dashing up to the
house, and entering in hot haste he demanded what the men were doing there.
Capt. Doten attempted to explain the situation to him, but the general would
listen to nothing, ordering, with many highh* seasoned expressions after his
usual style, an '• immediate move out and on." There was nothing for the
captain to do but to collect his men, open the back door of the house and
step out. He straightway found himself confronted by eight companies of
the 44th Georgia regiment, who mercifully refrained from firing at the partv,
saying it would be murder, as they had heard all the words uttered in the
house. Of course there was an immediate demand for surrender and an
immediate compliance — and that is how one of our most popular and gallant
4t
Hard Fighting and Hard Fare.
105
officers instead of going back to camp with his comrades that night spent the
hours lonely and homesick at a smoldering fire among strangers and hostiles
and the next day began his tedious midwinter trip to Libby. His captors-
assured him that they killed the officer on the white horse (Genl. Hays) for
they saw him fall from his horse. The general was not killed, though he
fell from his horse, and there was said to be a bullet hole in his saddle. He
escaped in the darkness.
The Fourteenth had done its work, splendidly, grandly, driving back
steadily a strong force at a most unfavorable hour and place and losing^
scores of men ; but help was needed and the loSth N. Y. and the loth N. Y.
were ordered up quickl}^. The line was extended to the right by the 12th
N. J. and other troops to foil the attempt at flanking, and soon the enemy
was wholly routed and the fighting at an end.
Most of the regiments were sent over the river that evening, recrossing on
a rough temporary foot-bridge built during the afternoon. Capt. Dewey of
the loth N. Y. reports that he " crossed about an hour after the last of the
division crossed and rejoined his brigade early the next morning." The
Fourteenth recrossed about 1 1 o'clock, bearing their many dead and wounded,
and reached camp at midnight. Scarcel}' had the worn-out men betaken
themselves to their bunks when an order came directing Col. Moore to take
the regiment out and picket the river opposite the ford. This was a cruel
order, for it was wholly unnecessary. Other troops there were that had
done no hard dut}' that day ; and there were none others that had done, con-
sidering the fighting and losses, as severe duty as the Fourteenth. There
was no release, however, and the regiment turned out at once and marched
back to the river, not being relieved and allowed to return to camp until
noon of the Sth.
Who will deny that the Fourteenth men had hard fare.? But these things
have made their record — their pride to-day. While the action was waging-
during daylight the ladies in camp witnessed from the top of Stony Moun-
tain, with what solicitude no tongue can describe, the struggle involving the
lives of their husbands and friends ; and as the night contest raged in the
blackness they saw the lines of fire, like the fitful, fierce Hghtning's play,,
from mouths of speaking muskets with an agony of soul unutterable.
jo6 Figures that Teli. — An Unjust Charge.
Official Report of Casualties. Battle of Mortofi's Ford, Va., February 6, 1864.
Second Arrnj Corps
3d Division of 2d A. C
2d Brig., 3d Div., 2d A. C
2d Brig., 3d Div., 2d A. C, by Regiments :
14th Conn
i2th N. I
ist Del.'.
loSth N. Y
loth N. Y
I Captured \„„.
Killed. [Wounded. and ="?'
Tv/r- • gate.
Missing. °
203
201
116
90
II
6
Corrected Report of 14th Conn
Killed and mor-
tally wounded.
14
8^
40
40
4
254
252
146
115
16
115
The above figures tell the Fourteenth's story eloquently and adequately.
With them before us the writer feels compelled to here touch upon one sub-
ject for the honor of the dear old regiment, for his heart is hot within him
at every thought of it.
In the division commander's official report of the Morton's Ford affair, a
report by no means commensurate with the importance and details of it, oc-
curs this passage : "I regret to forward such a long list of casualties, but it
is solely attributable to the faltering of two regiments of conscripts or substi-
tutes comprising the Fourteenth Connecticut and Thirty-ninth New York
Volunteers." It will be observed in the above quotation that the commander
makes his explanatory statement to account for " such a long list of casual-
ties," which he " regrets to forward," and that he places the Fourteenth Con-
necticut 7f;'5/ in naming the faulty regiments. Of the 39th N. Y. men we
may not properly, perhaps, speak, though ovu' belief is that the remark quoted
is unjust as regarding them, and that the fault was not so much theirs as of
the commander who ordered them in ; but of the Fourteenth we unhesitat-
ingly pronounce it unjust, cruel, and untrue, and if there is not a dash of
malice in it the writer is misimpressed. Possibly Genl. Hays' own pen did
not indite it, but it was given as his report and must so remain always. Our
brigade commander mentions with strong commendation the conduct of the
Fourteenth and the actions of its officers, and has not a suggestion of criticism
of either. The division commander gave not the slightest recognition of the
good conduct or hard fare of the regiment, nor did he recommend any of its
officers for promotion, while he did highly extol the commander of a regi-
ment of the First Brigade, whose total casualties were eleven wounded.
The Fourteenth was not a " regiment of conscripts or substitutes." Though
a large number of these had been added to the organization during the pre-
Cold Facts. jo?
ceding seven months, most of them had received a good seasoning in the cam-
paigns of the fall and the battle of Bristoe Station in October and in the Mine
Run campaign in November and December, and they had performed guard,
picket, and drill duty w^ith the veterans all through the season. The back-
bone of the regiment was the old, well tried, reliable, original material, offi-
cers and men, and when some of the new men hesitated, as was natural, at
the severel}' trying ordeal at the beginning of the advance into action the vet-
erans threw around them the cords of their influence and bound them fast to
the line, and all went on together. When men would advance steadily nearly
cme-half mile under the conditions heretofore described, in the darkness,
guided only by the light of the musket discharges right in their faces, against
a strong line of veteran braves well located and drive them to cover and not
retire until their work was full}' done, when one had only to drop clown in
the line as though bullet struck and then as the line swept on in the darkness
rise and slip to the rear unobserved, such could not be called cowards or fal-
terers. Computations based on latest data show that of the fourteen of our
regiment killed or mortally wounded at the battle eight were recruits ; that
of the wounded forty-nine were, and of the captured thirteen, seven of whom
died in rebel prisons (practically killed by that engagement), making seventy
casualties of recruits^ or two-thirds of all the regiment's casualties. And
these fell all alo?ig\h& course from the stai't to the finish. Does this showing
indicate that the new men were falterers.? Major Hincks fitly wrote : "Men
do not stand still and allow themselves to be shot down until one-third of
their number have fallen. If they (the Fourteenth) had been terrified or
panic-struck as is represented, they would have retreated in disorder instead
of advancing towards the quarter from which the fire came." Genl. Hays'
subsequent solicitude concerning the condition of these men, visiting the hos-
pitals and making careful inquiries as to their progress and causing delicacies
to be supplied them, evinced that he, as says Maj. Hincks, did not regard
them " a parcel of cowards who owe their injuries solely to their bad be-
havior." It is evident that his conscience troubled him — and well it might.
Brave as he was, and he taught our men helpful lessons in daring individual
exposure, the spirit of " John Barleycorn," that hurtful foe of our army, and
indeed of both armies, ruled him when it should not. It ruled him on the
afternoon and evening of Feb. 6, 1S64, as it ruled more than one other com-
mander of troops in the Second Corps that day, making him reckless and
passionate and blind ; and brave and devoted officers and men, whose lives
were precious, suffered the grievous results.
Of the fact stated the Fourteenth men generally were well aware, and
Capt. W. H. Hawley of the regiment, that day on the brigade staft\ a man
of intelligence, veracity, kind-heartedness and courage unimpeacha le, has
left a record from his pen stating this as "a solemn fact," emphatically say-
ing: "It is the truth." That inimical, cruel charge, made to excuse the
fatal results of an action that the higher powers evidently had not intended
should be hazarded, stands against our noble regiment, and in the public
io8
Reminiscent.
archives and their published reproductions it must stand forever ; how^ im-
properly and unjustly let the readers of these pages judge. Thus have we
written that facts may be set forth and our regiment exonerated while some
of us live who have facilities and temper for doing it.
Now to our trip and our trio. We tarried on the mountain as long as
would do, filled with sunshine as was the earth about us, and then reluctantly
left it to make our way to the ford. We stopped at the Robinson house near
the ford, familiar to all our men as headquarters of the picket. B. recalled
the stormy nights when, returning from the " rounds," he and others had
been allowed by the kindly old couple living here to lie on the floor bv a
rousing fire, and that the good people had cooked for them their coffee and
"rations," glad to themselves have a treat of the things then rare luxuries to
them. Soon we were chatting with a comely matron who, surrounded by
her children, was v\^orking in the shade at rear of the house. She had funds
of information of the kind we desired. She remembered the Fourteenth
Robinson House near Morton's Ford, north side. — Headquarters of picket.
Connecticut well, and said she was the Lucy Brown who used to come with
her sister Betty Brown to the dances the Fourteenth had, when all the avail-
able ladies in the vicinity were invited. She mentioned our band and many
incidents that proved her knowledge of the things talked of; and she gave
information solicited regarding certain persons known to our party, particu-
larly of one rosy damsel Susie whose rustic charms had seriously " Hitt"
some of our bachelor officers.
From this place we went to the ford, driving across with the water deep
to the wagon body. Going over the hill toward the Morton house we turned
to the left and stopped to make inquiries at a house prominent in view^ on the
hill. A man of elderly appearance and stately mien approached the gate to
speak to us. He was the proprietor of the place and announced himself to
us as Major Calhoun C. Buckner. He pressed us to enter his grounds and
prolong our stay. He was cordial, affable, courteous and intelligent,
A Noble Host and Happy Hours.
109
awakening our interest in him at once. When introduced to each of us in
turn and told who we were, he seemed to enjoy the siu"prise given him, and
he said, with a merry twinkle of his eyes: " I should know you were not
southern gentlemen, for if you were a bottle would have been in sight
before this." He told us that he was in the Confederate service during most
of the war. He said that when he " got through the service he was thankful
that he had got through alive and felt that he had had enough of war : " that
he was " like the man who made a bargain with the devil, that if he would
leave him alone he would let him alone," and that he had "not been to a
military meeting or a monument unveiling since." He was surprised to
learn from us how serious an engagement had taken place on his premises
in February, 1S64, having scarcely heard of it before. He regaled us with
many witty stories and legends of the war days and devoted himself assid-
uously to our entertainment, urging that we* spend days with him. Failing
to induce us to be his guests at table, he insisted on adding, on behalf of
himself and his wife, simdry improvements to our lunch set out on his porch,
such as conserves and relishes, and pitchers of milk and new cider, partaking
with us somewhat for hospitality's sake. So, with such pleasurable
Island View," Major BucUner's House.
sociability, resting on the grass in the shade, soldier fashion, looking over the
battlefield and contrasting its appearance with that it bore on a certain chill
and bloody day nearly twenty-eight years before, the halcyon hours of this
unmatched day sped on until we saw that we must begone. Now our warm-
hearted host, loth to have us leave him, hunted up an excuse to detain us,
and finding and bringing on some melons, we must, forsooth, stay until these
no
Repetition.
had been well discussed. When we in earnest started to leave, the Major
accompanied us to his gate, showing signs of real regret at our departure.
Then we went towards the Morton house, clambering up the bank where the
right of the regiment went up at the time of the battle and approaching it as
the regiment did. We found the barn and other out-buildings apparently
unchanged, but the original dwelling house had burned down a few years ago
and a brick building had been erected on its site. This last spot of thrilling
interest visited, we started for home, crossing the river at Raccoon Ford,
now provided with a good iron bridge, and then drove over ten miles to
Culpeper. Tired we were, and a little sore with the jolting and shaking,
but happy all through, chatting, singing old melodies and gazing at the
country.
One year later, the same party minus Col. Moore but plus Maj. Hincks,
Sergts. Hirst and Blatchley and the son of the latter, made nearly the same
trip, reaching Culpeper on a Saturday night on our way back from a trip to
Richmond and Petersburg, where we had visited forts "• Steadman," " Hell,"
" Morton," the "Crater," Ream's Station, etc. Sunday was almost a pre-
cise reprint of the day of our trip in 1891. On tlie top of Stony Mountain
"Coffee ready!" Old Fire-Place, Camp 14th 0. V,, Stony Mountain, Va.
at noon, on a great rock platform with a huge boulder pulpit, we had a little
service of devotion, singyig and talk, that will never be forgotten by the par-
ticipants. The da}'—
"so cool, so calm,, so bright,
The bridal of the earth and sky,"
Vale ! JU
the place, the memories, the comradeship made it an hour whose treasuring
we hope eternity will not rob us of. Our kodakist essayed to pepetuate for
us, and for this volume, the place and group, but it was too good to keep
thus — the film broke down under the effulgence and joy.
We drove to the Robinson house and then crossed the ford, Mr. James
Nalle, the present proprietor and occupant of the Robinson place, cour-
teously, and voluntarily, riding ahead and guiding us. Our friend Major
Buckner recognized some of us instantly and took us all right into his
warm heart. This time he and his excellent wife compelled our participa-
tion at their bountiful table, and then he devoted himself to our pleasure.
Another delightful afternoon upon the lawn in pleasant converse and viewing
the old field ; the same old tactics of the major to prolong our stay ; then an
adjournment to the large hall of the mansion to sing at the organ with the
major's comely daughters and their young lady chum, when "Nearer mv
God to thee " and "Praise God from whom all blessings flow " came from
grateful hearts over earnest lips ; then a hurried hand-shaking and a fervid
good-bye, while of our group every eye was dewy, every soul tender and
every heart saying " Grace, mercy and peace be with you," and we tore our-
selves away from our noble host and his charming family and turned home-
ward, stopping a little time at the Morton house on our way. Such a day
cannot be effaced from memory, nor should it be. Our only regret was that
every good man of the old Fourteenth could not share our privilege and our
happiness. That they may know of them this is written.
Corrections.
Page II, fourth line; for "see in cut 14" read see cut I3.
Page 53, eighteenth line ; for " cuts 28 and 30" read cuts 24 and 28.
LIST OF ENGAGEMENTS
OF THE 14TH C. V.
BATTI^KS.
Antietam, Md., -..--. - . . . September 17,
Fredericksburg, Va., - - - - - - - December 12, 13, 14,
Chancellorsviile, Va., --------- May 2 and 3,
Gettysburg, Pa., -.--_--.-. July 2, 3, 4,
Bristoe Station, Va., ---------- October 14,
Morton's Ford, Va., .-.------ February 6,
Wilderness (Todd's Tavern). Va., -------- May 5,
Wilderness, Va., ----------- May 6,
Laurel Hill, Va., ---------- May 10,
Spottsylvania, Va., ----._-__. May 12,
North Anna River, Va., - - -•- - - - - - - May 24,
Tolopotomy, Va., ---------- May 30,
Cold Harbor, Va., ----------- June 3,
Cold Habor, Va., ----------- June 5,
Petersburg, Va., ----------- June 17,
Ream's Station, Va., ----..._- August 25,
1862.
1863.
1S64.
MINOR :^NGAG:^M:eNTS AND skirmish:^s.
Falling W^aters, Md., ---------- July 14, 1S63.
Auburn, Va. , ----------- October 14, "
Blackburn's Ford, Va., --------- October 15, "
Mine Run, Va., -- _-. November 30, "
Spottsylvania, Va., ---------- May 13, 1864.
Spottsylvania, Va., ---------- May 14, "
Spottsylvania, Va., - - - - - - -- - - May 18, "
Milford Station, Va., --------- May 22, "
North Anna River, Va., ---------- May 26, "
Petersburg, Va., ----------- June 16, "
Deep Bottom, Va., ---------- August 15, "
Deep Bottom, Va., --------- August 16, "
Hatcher's Run (Boydton Plank Road), Va., - - - - October 27, "
Hatcher's Run, Va., --------- February 5, 1865.
Hatcher's Run, Va., ---------- March 29, "
High Bridge, Va., - ^ f March 30, "
Farmville, Va., - - -- - - -r- - - -\ to
Surrender of Lee's Army, Appomattox C. H, Va., J (^ April 10, "
THE EXCURSIONISTS.*
Adams, James K.,
Adams, William A.,
Allen, Mrs. R
Ailing, C. D., Mr. and Mrs.,
^Andrews, T. D.,
Andrews, Miss Bessie, . .
Andross, W. W., Mr. and Mrs.,
Bailey, N. S , Mr. and Mrs.,
Barber, Samuel,
Barnes, Charles D., Mr. and Mrs.,
Bart, Henrj N.,
Bartholomew, T. L.,
Bartlett, E. S.
Bartlett, F. W., .
Beach, Henry A.,
Beam, Alfred A., Mr. and Mrs., .•
Beam, Charles, ....
Beaton, C. H., Mr. and Mrs.,
Beaton, Miss Minnie L.,
Billings, W. H., ....
Blakeslee, Ralph N., Mr. and Mrs..
BlatcJiley, Charles G., .
Blatchlej, Charles H.,
Bosworth, N. A., ....
Boughton, G. A.,
Brigham, George N., .
Brcatch, John C, Mr. and Mrs.,
Broatch, J. Allison,
Broatch, Robert,
Brooks, Henry S.,
Bullard, Henry.
Bunce, James W., Mr. and
Burke, Robert. Mr. and Mr;
Butinell, Charles R., Mr. and Mrs
Calvert, y. C, .
Carpenter, H. E., .
Carroll, IV. iV.,
Chapman, Mrs. M. J. H.,
Charter, Irving TV.,
Chatfield, John D.,
Clarke, H. L., .
Mrs.
Seymour, Conn.
Meriden, "
Water bury, "
New Britain, Conn.
Rockville, "
Buckingham, "
Jewett Citj', "
Southington, "
New York, N. Y.
Bridgeport, Conn.
Hartford, "
New Britain, "
Somersville, "
Waterbury, "
Philadelphia, Pa.
Hartford, Conn.
Waterbury, "
Rockville, "
Middletown, Conn.
Bristol,
New London,
East Hampton,
Yalesville,
Middletown,
East Haddam,
Waterville,
East Hampton,
*This list is as nearly accurate as we have been able to make it. Some names may
be here that should not be and some may not be that should be. Several persons were
booked who failed to appear, and some joined the party who did not report their names.
We have obtained inost of the latter through correspondence. The R.R. Co. reports
three hundred tickets sold at Jersey City, and eleven persons joined us at other points.
t Names appearing in italics are those of members of the Fourteenth.
ii6
The Excursionists.
Clark, E. R., Hartford, Conn.
Coffin, O. v., Hon. and Mrs., Middletown, Conn.
Coit, James B.^ ......... Washington, D. C.
Colby, E. C, . . . . . . . . . . Waterbury, Conn.
Colgrove, Mrs. A. M., . . . ■ Middletown, "
Colgrove, Miss Mary S., . . . . . . . . " "
Colgrove, Miss Adelaide W., ...... " "
Condon. J. C, . . . . . . • . . . Springfield, Mass.
Coo/ejK, -^ewry iV/. , Mr. and Mrs., " "
Cornwell, J. C, Hartford, Conn.
Cozvles, Alfred, ......... '' "
Crawford, F. M., New Haven, "
Crittenden, A. R., Mr. and Mrs., Middletown, Conn.
Curtis, J. P., New Britain, "
Davh, Samuel H New York, N. Y.
Davis, D. Newland, ......... Middletown, Conn.
Davis, L. O., Mr. and Mrs.,
Dean, William H., Letcher, South Dakota.
Middletown, Conn.
Hartford,
Newington,
Denio, L. F., Mr. and Mrs.,
T")ennison, George E.
Dorman, IV. B.,
Dorman, Lewis W. , ......... "
Dowd, Frank C, Madison,
Dwinell, S. O., Birmingham,
Easton, Walter R., Meriden,
Edwards, Watson, Mr. and Mrs., Portland,
Elliott, Joseph T., Mr. and Mrs., Middletown,
Farlej', Fred. A Pine Meadow,
Farnham, Edwin D Vinton Mills,
Ferguson, James F Waterbury,
Fi?i7i, Thomas,
Fiske, Wilbur n., Mr. and Mrs.,
Fitzfatrick, John J-, ■
Fletcher, Charles, Mr. and Mrs ,
Flood, Andrexv,
Forbes, William,
Fox, Hiram H., Mr. and Mrs.,
Francis, F. H., . .
Franklin. L. W., .
Gallup, Rev. James A.,
Gardner, Thotnas W., .
Geer, Everett S.,
Gibbons, Fred E.
Birmingham, Conn.
Boston, Mass.
New Haven, Conn.
Emporia, Kansas.
East Hampton, Conn.
Lawrence, Mass.
New Haven, Conn.
Manchester,
Madison,
New London,
Hartford,
Middletown,
Gibbud, D D Naugatuck,
Gladden, Miss C. N.,
Glenn, Russell, .
Goldsmith, Mrs. O. C,
Goodman, Edivard, .
Goodrich, Loren H.,
Gould, John M.,
Gould, Oliver C, .
Griswold, H.,
Griswold, Walter B.,
Grumley, William R.,
Guild, Augustus, .
Portland,
Bridgeport,
New Haven,
Birmingham,
Burnside,
Portland, Me.
Hartford. Conn.
Meriden, "
Middletown, "
The Excursionists.
117
and Mrs.
and Mr:
Guilford^ William O.
Gurnan, Andrew, .
Hahn, Joseph,
Hall, George,
Hall, William H.,
Hall, Albert F., Mr
Hall, Joint M., .
Haminojid, A. Park, Mr. and M
Hammond, Alljn,
Harris, George H., M
Hart, William W.
Hart, M. R., .
Henn, George F.,
Higby, F. A.,
Hill, Thotnas Af.,
Hirst, Benjamin,
Hirst, yoh?!,
Hogan, Thomas, .
Holley, James, Mr. and Mrs
Howard, A. E.,
Howell, Edtvin A., .
Hubbard, J. M., .
Hubbard, Mrs. J. W.,
Hubbard, Miss M. Louise,
Hubbard. George A.,
Hubbard, L. V. B.,
HiDin, George A., Mr. and Mrs
Hyde, Elbert F., Mr. and Mrs.,
Inglis. jfames, Mr. and Mrs.,
Jeivett, Levi, Dr. and Mrs.,
Jordan, William P.,
Kamak, I. H.,
Kincaid, John,
Know lion, Ju litis W., Mr. and
Ktirtz, George, .
Lane, J. W.. . .
Lane, W. F.,
Latimer, William R., .
Latimer, Miss Edith E.,
Leach, C. B., Mr. and Mrs.,
I^illibridge, George H.,
Littes, Johtt, Mr. and Mrs., .
Little, Elmer,
Lydall, He?iry, Mr. and Mrs.,
Lyman, Miss Emma E.,
Lyman, Charles,
McCarthy, Miss Emma,
McCarthy, Miss Mai-y C,
McPherson, Jo/in,
McVey, John, Rev. and Mrs.,
Meigs, Hon. James R. ,
Meigs, John H.. .
Merwin, R. T., Mr. and Mrs.,
Metcalf, F. E.,
Metcalf, W. A., .
Miles, Hon. W. A.,
rs.,
Mrs
Waterbury, Conn.
Middletown,
Me ride n,
Madison,
Rockville,
Middletown,
Philadelphia, Pa.
Naugatuck, Conn.
New Britain, "
Meriden, "
Waterbury, "
Springfield, Mass.
Rockville, Conn.
Birmingham,
New Britain,
Hartford,
New Haven,
Middletown,
Washington, D. C.
Birmingham, Conn;
New Britain, "
Ellington. "
Middletown, "
Cobalt, "
Portland, Me.
Waterbury. Conn.
Middletown,
Bridgeport, "
Chicago, 111.
Wallingford, Conn.
Bloomfield, "
Middletown, •'
Washington, D. C.
Waterbury, Conn.
Birmingham, "
Manchester, "
Willimantic, "
Washington, D. C.
Waterbury, Conn.
Rockville,
Manchester,
Madison,
New Haven,
Rockville,
Meriden,
ii8
The Excursionists.
Minor, Mrs. Charles H., .
Mohr, Henry, ....
Moody, Rdga7',
Moore, Sa7nuel A., Mr. and Mrs.,
Moore, Miss Roberta,
Moore, Mrs. C. H., . . .
Murdock, Thomas,
Murdock, John M.,
Neale, E. J., Mr. and Mrs.,
Newton, H. F., .
Nichols, S. v., Mr. and Mrs., .
Nichols, William B., .
Norton, Charles IV., Mr. and Mrs.,
Norton, Master Dan.,
Norton, George S., Mr. and Mrs.,
0'Co?i7iell, Michael, Mr. and Mrs.,
O'Learj, Patrick,
Palmer, John G., . . ' .
Palmer, Miss Emma G. , .
Park, Chauticey T., .
Parker, Hiland H.,
Parkhurst, B. B., Mr. and Mrs.,
Peck, B. A.,
Pelton, James P.,
Pierce, Ernest C,
Porter, Ira A.,
Pratt, Thomas S., Mr. and Mrs.,
Price, Robert C, ...
Prior, I. B., . . .
Pritchard, W. L. G.,
QLiirk, Michael J , .
Rav, George H., Mr. and Mrs.,
Redfield, Charles H.,
Roberts, J. T.,
Robinson, David IV.,
Rossberg, C. C,
Russell, Charles A., Hon. and Mrs.
Sanford, Mrs. C. C,
Sargent, Mrs. Alice W.,
Schmidt, J. W., Mr. and Mrs.,
Schlichter, Joseph,
Seinsoth, J. J.,
Scranfon, jf. S.,
Seward, Sainuel H., Mr. and Mrs..
Sherman, Ernest,
Simmons, W. S., Hon. and Mrs.,
Simmons, Miss Agnes L.,
Sprague, Mrs. Julia M.,
Smith, William D.,
Smith, Friend H., Mr. and Mrs.,
Smith, Edward,
Smith, Miss Annie,
Snagg, Reuben G., Mr. and Mrs.,
Snell, Samuel, Mr. and Mrs.,
Southmajd, George M., .
Spencer, Imri A.,
Boston, Mass.
Canarsie, N. Y.
East River, Conn.
New Britain,
Midaletown,
Portland,
Southington,
Plainfield,
Bridgeport,
New Britain,
New Haven,
New Britain,
Putnam,
Middletown,
New Britain,
Chicago, 111.
New Haven, Conn.
Naugatuck,
Portland, '
New Britain, '
Rockville. '
Hartford, '
Cromwell, '
West Haven, '
New Britain,
Florence, Mass.
Madison, Conn.
Waterburj,
Durham,
New Britain,
Killinglj',
Bridgeport,
Boston, Mass.
New Britain, Conn.
Middletown,
Hartford,
Madison.
Putnam,
Middletown,
Central Village, Conn.
Middletown,
Whigville,
Norfolk,
Willimantic,
Waterburj,
Holjoke, Mass.
Middletown. Conn,
Waterbury, "
North Carolina State Library
Raleigh
The Excursionists.
119
Stannard, Miss Emma,
Stedman, D. R.,
Stevens., Henry S.,
Stevens, O. H.,
Stocking, George A.,
Sto-we, Nathan E., Mr. and Mrs
Stow, Miss Mary,
Stroud, Edwin, Mr. and Mrs.,
Swan, Horace,
Sweet, Dr. F. A., .
Thompson, Ralph S.,
Thrall, W. G.,
Thomson, Frank L. ,
Tift, J. M., .
Tift, W. H
Tillinghast, A. H., .
Tomlinson, Dr. Charles, .
Tomlinson, Oliver K.,
Toivnsend, Ja^nes L.,
Tubbs, William H.,
Tryon, A. C, .
Tyler, Elnathan B.,
Tracy, Mrs. Mary,
Vensel, Charles N., Mr. and M
Vinton, Mrs. Ella M.,
Vinton, C. C,
Wade, Edward H., .
Waite, Otis H., .
Walker, Robert,
Walker, Jerome W.,
Ward, William S., Mr. and Mi-s
Warner, W. 11. , Mr. and Mrs..
Watson, Master Eddie S.,
Wilcox, Benjamin C. .
Wilcox, W. H., .
Wilcox, A. N.,
Williams, E. H., Mr. and Mrs
Wilson, M. v., . . .
Wolf, Robert, .
Wood, S. H., Mr. and Mrs.,
Wood, M. M
Woodworth, Frank,
Worcester, George E.,
Young, Robert C,
Zacker, Hon. Edward,
Southington, Conn.
Rockville, "
Washington, D. C.
Waterbury, Conn.
Wallingford "
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Southington, Conn.
Middletown, "
Westerly, R. I.
Manchester, Conn.
Winthrop, ''
New Britain, "
Albany, N. Y.
Jewett City, Conn,
(( a (,
Hartford, "
Bridgeport, "
Noroton, "
New London, Conn.
Meriden,
Cobalt,
New Haven,
New Britain,
Vinton Mills,
Northampton, Mass.
Naugatuck, Conn.
Hartford,
Waterbury,, "
Southington, "
Manchester, "
Putnam, "
Meriden, "
Guilford, "
Hartford. "
New York, N. Y.
Hartford, Conn.
New Britain,
New London,
Glastonbury,
Middletown,
Madison,
GC 973.7446 S844s
Stevens, Henry S.
Souvenir of excursion to battlefields by
^_,.^mm<Iiimit
973.7446
38443
Stevens
Souvenir of excursion to battle-
fields by the Society of the
Fourteenth Connecticut Regiment
and reunion at Antietam, Septem-
ber, 1891
973.7446
38/^4s
Stevens
Souvenir of excursion to battlefields by
the Society of the Fourteenth Connecti-
cut Regiment and reunion at Antietani,
September, 1891
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